Job Description

TransiT Digital Twinning Development PhD Scholarship with Graduate Teaching Assistantship (Edinburgh)


Edinburgh Business School is awarding three PhD scholarships as Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) positions to outstanding doctoral candidates with clear potential to excel as academic teachers and researchers in Digital Twin Development as part the TransiT Research Hub.


GTA PhD Projects in Digital Twin Development


TransiT is in a consortium of eight universities, supporting the formation of a new national research centre funded by a significant UKRI and stakeholder co-investment for a 5-year and 45M programme of challenge-led research into digital twinning for transport decarbonization. Digital twinning is an innovative methodology that involves creating virtual replicas of physical transport systems by integrating real-time data from sensors and infrastructure monitoring systems and provides rapid testing and optimisation of various decarbonisation scenarios. For more information please visit the TransiT website https://transit.ac.uk/. We are seeking proposals for three projects contributing to

Digital Twin Development

this work involves computer programming and data analysis activity.

Applicants interested in any of the stated project areas are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisory team for an informal discussion about their research proposal prior to submitting their application.

TOPIC REFERENCE: 1DTD: Agent-Based Futures: Reimagining Sustainable and Resilient Transport Logistics for Decarbonisation

We invite proposals on how data-driven agent-based modelling (ABM) can tackle critical challenges in the decarbonisation of transport and develop understanding by modelling the complex interactions between logistics systems and energy systems. The study will model how different energy sources and infrastructure can support low-carbon freight movements, and how logistics decisions, in turn, impact energy demand and supply. The focus will be on environmentally friendly transport technologies, such as electric vehicles, drones, and autonomous vehicles, as these will be central to designing future logistics solutions. The supervisory team are Dr Dhanan Utomo and Dr David Corne. For further information please contact Dr Dhanan Utomo d.utomo@hw.ac.uk.

TOPIC REFERENCE: 2DTD: Uncovering self-organisation and emergent behaviours of agents with gamification

We invite proposals on how agent-based digital twinning can work together and collaborate with human users, and how the human users are understood and translated into agent and digital twin models, governance, and job development, particularly in the field of gamification and its use in incentivising human actors within the system to take optimal choices. A goal of this project is to study self-organisation and emergent behaviours of agents representing humans in such computational models, harnessing adaptive learning techniques to make predictions about the effects of interactions with each other and the wider system. The project will study the validation of such learning models to ensure that, when mapped into a digital twin, human agent behaviours are sufficiently realistic to allow representative and impactful scenario experimentation in the prediction of future systems. This research represents an exciting research opportunity to feed into the BDI (Behaviour, Desire, Intent) agents from a Human Factors perspective. The supervisory team are Dr Adam Gripton and Dr Theo Lim. For further information please contact Dr Adam Gripton A.Gripton@hw.ac.uk.

TOPIC 3 REFERENCE 3DTD: Data Science and Optimisation for Transport and Logistics Decarbonisation

We invite proposals which apply optimisation techniques to "big dataaEUR? in order to address sustainability challenges in the transport and the hard-to-decarbonise logistics sectors. The project will take data from a variety of sources (such as vehicle, infrastructure, geography), combining them in novel ways to answer stakeholder-focussed questions. The focus will be on how transport and logistics systems can and should adapt to new technologies, and is an exciting opportunity bridging theory with genuine real-world impact. The supervisory team are Dr Alan Logan and Dr Christa Searle. For further information please contact Dr Alan Logan alan.logan@hw.ac.uk


Role Requirements


The GTA roles are based at the Edinburgh campus and successful applicants will be expected to work at that campus. A GTA PhD scholarship is a four-year fixed term position: Students undertake a PhD on a 0.75 FTE basis alongside a 0.25 FTE teaching contract. Remuneration consists of a PhD stipend of 15585 per annum (0.75 of the standard UKRI rate) not taxable, plus a salary of 7,701 which is taxable. PhD tuition fees are covered.


Reporting to the Head of Department, the post-holder will:


Undertake a PhD on one of the topics specified above, within 4 years, maintaining an appropriate rate of progress and engaging in relevant training and other events as required. Deliver teaching in Business Analytics, Operations Management, Supply Chain or Business Management, including delivery to a range of group sizes in both in-person and online environments. Provide flexible, appropriate, and timely support to students using a variety of media. Deliver tutorials and mark assessments and provide student feedback as required, and in line with School policies and standards. Contribute to the administrative work of the Department as required. Undertake other training and engagement in school activities and duties as required by the Head of Department. Take a proactive approach towards academic publishing and journal papers.
Relevant training will be provided alongside the role. During the first two years of the contract, the post-holder will be expected to undertake training in teaching and learning as required by the University, this might include School's PGCert in Research Methods (unless equivalent qualifications are already held). GTAs are supported in their academic career development through annual performance and development reviews plus access to training offered by the HWU Learning and Teaching Academy and the Research Engagement Directorate. In addition to the Head of Department, dedicated leadership is provided by Department Head of Learning and Teaching and Department Head of Research.


About Edinburgh Business School


Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry. Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. Heriot-Watt is Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort. Heriot-Watt's Edinburgh Business School (EBS) is a global leader in high-quality, accessible, practice-oriented business education and research. We partner with businesses and governments to translate knowledge into practice and deliver innovative solutions that improve the world. At EBS, we are practical, engaged, connected, and inspired. We are looking for colleagues who:


Understand and embrace the value of accessible, practice-oriented learning and research. Pursue excellence both individually and collectively. Know the value of collaboration. Embrace our inclusive, global community. Are passionate about making a difference.
The Department of Marketing and Operations comprises 40 full-time faculty in Edinburgh plus 5 GTAs,10 staff in Dubai and 7 staff in Malaysia. A wide range of specialist knowledge is present including the fields of digital and sustainable activity, project management, business analytics, as well as logistics and supply chain management. Transit (HW) has 9 faculty members and 8 PDRAs. Research publications are listed on the Heriot Watt Research Portal https://researchportal.hw.ac.uk/


Application Instructions


Your application should be a single pdf that includes:


a cover letter that identifies how your skills and experience are a good match for this position a copy of your PhD research proposal (clearly stating the

topic reference

of the project for which you are applying) a copy of your CV the names and contact details for two referees.
If you are applying for more than one project you will need to supply a separate application for each project with a separate topic reference on each.


Your application should contain information on how your previous experience and education provides you with the essential and where available the desirable criteria for this role.


Essential Skills and Experience


An undergraduate degree in a relevant field with a minimum 2:1 classification (or equivalent). For this role the relevant fields include but are not limited to mathematics, computer science, data analytics, statistics, systems analysis, operations management, supply chain management or similar. For this role the relevant fields include but are not limited to a social sciences disciplines such as disability studies, sociology, human geography, business management, psychology, and computer science or similar Experience of either primary data collection or secondary data-set compilation and undertaking appropriate analysis. A viable research proposal for PhD study on one of the stated topics A commitment to be trained in research methods, systems thinking, and the TransiT approach to digital twinning. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Candidates for whom English is a second language should meet the University's minimum English-language requirements for entry onto the PhD programme. If you have not already studied a degree programme that was taught and examined in the medium of English, the minimum overall IELTS score is 6.5 with no score lower than 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. Good general IT skills. Individual time management skills that show you will balance the requirements of teaching and PhD study. Team working skills that show you will work as part of a team to deliver high-quality teaching and positive student experience.
Desirable Skills and Experience


A postgraduate Masters degree in a relevant field, or equivalent research experience. For this role the relevant fields include but are not limited to mathematics, computer science, data analytics, statistics, systems analysis, operations management, supply chain management or similar. Experience with BIM, CAD, and products such as Bentley Systems A proven background in one or more of these areas: agent-based modelling, big data, data analytics, coding, cyber-physical infrastructure, AI, and digital twins. A strong commitment to industrial and community engagement, and systems thinking. A strong commitment to inter-disciplinary working, applying theoretical knowledge to practical problems and a commitment to UK transport. Relevant teaching and/or professional experience.

Applications can be submitted up to midnight UK time) Monday 30 th June 2025. Candidates who are shortlisted will be notified after 8 th July. Interviews will take place online between Tuesday 15 th July and 23 rd July. The role will start after the receiving references. Where possible the role will commence on Monday 1 st September or at a later agreed date if VISA or other requirements need to be concluded.



Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.


Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .


We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.


Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.