Senior Industrial Fellow

The University of Birmingham’s Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) is lead partner in the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN), a £92m network of industry and academia, and home one of UKRRIN’s major Centres of Excellence. The University of Birmingham’s Centre of Excellence will be a new £16m Centre of Excellence in Digital Systems (CEDS) and will deliver around £35m of research projects over the 8-year funding window. Core to the successful delivery of these projects and realisation of the UKRRIN goal is the appointment of expert staff who can bridge the gap between research and technology introduction in one of each of the four key technology themes of the CEDS: Future Railway Operations and Control;Data Integration and Cybersecurity; Smart Monitoring and Autonomous Systems; and Introducing Innovation.

The CEDS will offer an Industry-on-Campus environment for close collaboration towards significant research and development projects. The Industrial Fellow will work closely with other members of BCRRE and with industrial co-investors in UKRRIN to create and disseminate knowledge. The post holder will work closely with the industrial partners to propose projects, write bids and coordinate research efforts. Much time will also be spent implementing projects, including original research and publishing in both academic and industrial journals, as appropriate to the disciplinary area and specific project.

Applications are currently invited from talented individuals who have proven research skills and an understanding of the railway industry in support of the CEDS themes. Preference is for the theme of Future Railway Operations and Control.

An understanding and experience in industry-focussed research and development in the appropriate theme is essential for this role. The ideal candidate will also possess a higher degree (PhD) and have significant research and knowledge transfer experience in either an academic or industrial environment. Other attributes of importance include strong networking and relationship-building skills; an ability to think strategically on matters relevant to the role and to communicate ideas effectively to a wide audience; and an ability to contribute to strategy development and planning.

An understanding and experience in industry-focussed research and development in the appropriate theme is essential for this role. The ideal candidate will also possess a higher degree (PhD) and have significant research and knowledge transfer experience in either an academic or industrial environment. Other attributes of importance include strong networking and relationship-building skills; an ability to think strategically on matters relevant to the role and to communicate ideas effectively to a wide audience; and an ability to contribute to strategy development and planning.

• Normally, a higher degree relevant to the research area (normally PhD) or equivalent qualifications.

• Significant experience in the railway industry and/or research related to the industry.

• Extensive research experience and scholarship within subject specialism.

• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation.

• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results.

• Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods.

• Proven, excellent report-writing and proposal-writing skills.

• Strong networking and relationship-building skills.

• Extensive experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity.

• Ability to think strategically on matters relevant to the role, and to communicate ideas effectively to a wide audience.

• Excellent analytical skills and ability to contribute to strategy development and planning.