THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Role Profile Form
Job Title:
Research Fellow in Automotive Navigation, Positioning and
Data Visualisation (Title will be ‘Research Associate’ where
an appointment is made before PhD is completed)
School/Department:
Faculty of Engineering, Nottingham Geospatial Institute
Salary:
£25,769 to £37,768 per annum, depending on skills and
experience (minimum £28,982 with relevant PhD). Salary
progression beyond this scale is subject to performance
Job Family and Level:
Research and Teaching Level 4 (Appointment will be Level 4
Career training grade where an appointment is made before
PhD has been completed)
Contract Status:
This post is available immediately and will be offered on a
fixed-term contract for 2 years after start date
Hours of Work:
Full-time, 36.25 hours per week
Location:
Jubilee Campus of Nottingham University
Reporting to:
Dr Xiaolin Meng
Purpose of the Role:
The purpose of this role will be to have specific responsibility for research, for developing
research objectives and proposals for research projects in the area of geospatial technologies
for automated and connected vehicles. The post holder will be expected to plan and conduct
work using approaches or methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research
(particularly navigation, positioning and data visualisation), and will be responsible for writing
up their work for publication. The work will involve considerable interaction with industrial
collaborators in the context of the Innovate UK project, i-Motors.
The role holder will have the opportunity to use their initiative and creativity to identify areas
for research, develop research methods and extend their research portfolio.
Main Responsibilities
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To develop research objectives and proposals for own and/or collaborative research in
the area of geospatial technology for connected and autonomous vehicles.
To plan and conduct research using recognised approaches, methodologies and
techniques within the research area.
To analyse and illuminate data, interpret reports, evaluate and criticise texts and bring
new insights to research area.
To write up research work for publication and/or contribute to the dissemination at
national/international conferences and to industrial collaborators, resulting in
successful research outputs.
To identify opportunities and assist in writing bids for research grant applications.
Prepare proposals and applications to both external and/or internal bodies for funding,
contractual or accreditation purposes.
To build relationships with both internal and external contacts (especially those within
vehicle manufacturers) in order to exchange information, to form relationships for
future collaborations and identify potential sources of funds and/or opportunities for
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collaboration.
To co-ordinate the operational aspect of research networks, for example, arranging
meetings and updating websites etc and contribute to collaborative decision making
with colleagues in area of research.
To provide support, guidance and supervision to other staff, where appropriate in own
area of expertise.
To supervise undergraduate and/or postgraduate students projects, fieldwork and
placements, as appropriate. To participate in the assessment of student knowledge and
co-supervise projects at Masters level.
To collaborate with academic colleagues on areas of shared interest for example,
course development, collaborative or joint research projects.
To plan and manage own research activity and resolve problems, if required, in
meeting own/team research objectives and deadlines in collaboration with others.
To utilise and contribute to organising research resources and facilities, laboratories
and workshops as appropriate (especially the driving simulator facility).
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Essential
Qualifications/
Education


Skills/Training
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
Experience

PhD in geospatial technology
associated
to
positioning,
navigation and data visualisation
OR Near to completion of a PhD
(writing up)
PhD topic in area of connected
and
automated
vehicles
/
intelligent transport systems
Excellent
oral
and
written
communication skills, including
the ability to communicate with
clarity on complex information
Ability
to
use
navigation,
positioning and other geospatial
systems to analyse and visualise
the resulting data
High analytical ability to visualise
and
illuminate
data,
interpretation
of
reports,
evaluation and critical analysis of
data to develop new insights
Ability to build relationships and
collaborate with others, both
internally
and
externally
(especially
industrial
collaborators)
Practical experience in the use of
geospatial technologies related to
positioning, navigation and data
visualisation
Desirable

Member or working towards
membership of RIN or
equivalent body

Ability to foster a research
culture and commitment to
learn in others
Ability
to
assess
and
organise
resource
requirements and deploy
effectively
Ability to creatively apply
relevant
research
approaches,
models,
techniques and methods
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Experience in the use of
research methodologies and
techniques (qualitative and
quantitative) for geospatial
study
Previous success in gaining
support
for
externally
funded research projects
Experience of developing
new approaches, models,
techniques or methods in
the area of automotive
positioning, navigation and
data visualisation
Decision Making
i) Taken independently by the role holder;
 Planning general research programme and direction.
 Making individual/team decisions about design and conduct of particular research methods
experiments.
 To assist in preparing applications for new research funding.
 Maintenance and repair of equipment and apparatus.
 Advice on consumable and small scale purchasing.
ii) Taken in collaboration with others;
 Collaborative research applications.
 Direction of students/collaborators research.
 Investigation and decisions about new apparatus/equipment for the group.
 Publication decisions, papers, conference abstracts etc.
 Proposals for grant application.
 Strategy for long-term research programme.
iii) Referred to the appropriate line manager by the role holder
 Wider research strategy of our research group
 Purchase decisions <£1000.
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