Job Description

Ref Number

B04-06987

Professional Expertise

Research and Research Support

Department

UCL BEAMS (B04)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

See advert text

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

On site

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

19-Jan-2026

About us

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The Bartlett Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA) is globally recognised as a leading academic department, researching and teaching the science of cities. A truly interdisciplinary centre, with staff hailing from backgrounds in subjects as diverse as Geography, Transport Studies, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Statistics, Planning, Architecture, the Humanities and the Social Sciences, for more than 20 years we have been combining theory with novel data, sensors, computational models, analysis and cutting edge visualisation to generate new knowledge and insights addressing problems with a spatial dimension and an urban and regional focus. Our work in inherently applied and looks to influence urban planning, policy and design in both the public and private spheres. Educating only postgraduates, our degree programmes have gained a reputation for excellence and inclusivity, with student cohorts also reflecting a hugely diverse range of academic backgrounds. Further information can be found on our website at https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/casa/

About the role

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TRACK-UK (Synthesised Census and Small Area Statistics for Transport and Energy) is an ESRC-funded collaborative research project co-led by University College London's Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA), Arup, and the Alan Turing Institute. The project develops advanced spatial and statistical methods to analyse mobility patterns at high spatial resolution and to understand their implications for transport decarbonisation across the UK. TRACK-UK integrates National Travel Survey and Census data, applies small-area estimation and synthetic population methods, and produces granular indicators of travel behaviour, mobility profiles, and decarbonisation progress at neighbourhood scale. The project works closely with academic, policy, and industry partners to generate evidence that supports data-driven transport and energy policy. The main purpose of this role is to provide research and project support to the TRACK-UK team over a fixed four-month period. The postholder will assist postdoctoral and senior researchers with data preparation and analysis, contribute to research outputs and materials, and support the coordination of workshops and related activities. The role will contribute to the effective delivery of project tasks, support collaborative research workflows, and help ensure timely progress on data-driven research activities within the ESRC-funded TRACK-UK project. Duties and responsibilities will include: supporting the preparation, cleaning, and management of quantitative and geospatial datasets related to transport, mobility, energy demand, and population research within the TRACK-UK project; assisting with exploratory data analysis, including the production of figures, tables, and summary statistics, to support ongoing research activities; contributing to the development and documentation of research materials, including codebooks, computational environments, and maps, to support reproducible research; supporting the preparation of research outputs, including reports, working papers, and contributions to academic publications' assisting with the preparation of web-based, online, or teaching/training materials, including visual materials for presentations or workshops; supporting the organisation and coordination of workshops, meetings, and teaching-related activities, including preparation of materials and follow-up actions; using version control systems (e.g. Git/GitHub) to support collaborative research workflows and documentation; communicating progress clearly within the research team and maintain organised records of data, methods, and outputs. The post is available from 1 March 2026 and is funded until 30 June 2026 in the first instance. Salary range for Research Assistants on grade 6B is 39,148 - 41,833 (point 25 - point 28) per annum including London Allowance. Please note: this Grade 6B Research Assistant role is aimed at early career researchers - we are unfortunately unable to consider applicants who already hold a PhD or are due to complete their PhD during the period of the contract. This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information. We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible. For any queries about the role please contact Dr Esra Suel (e.suel@ucl.ac.uk). A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page. To apply for the vacancy please click on the 'Apply Now' button below.

About you

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The postholder will have a MSc degree in a relevant discipline such as Urban Analytics, Transportation, Geography, Planning, or a related social science with strong quantitative components. Other essential criteria include: experience working with quantitative datasets, such as transport, mobility, energy demand, and/or census-type data; experience supporting academic research projects, including data preparation, exploratory analysis, production of figures or tables, and supporting the preparation of research outputs; experience contributing to the preparation of web-based or online research materials, such as codebooks, computational environments, or maps, and/or teaching or training materials; experience supporting the organisation and coordination of workshops, meetings, and/or teaching-related activities; proficiency in Python and/or R for data analysis; ability to communicate technical material clearly in writing and to work effectively as part of a research team; proficiency in version control systems (e.g. Git and GitHub) to support collaborative research or teaching activities. For full list of essential and desirable criteria, please see a job description and person specification at the bottom of this page.

What we offer

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As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below: - 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days); - Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme; - Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE); - Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan; - Immigration loan; - Relocation scheme for certain posts; - On-Site nursery; - Onsite gym; - Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay; - Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service; - Discounted medical insurance. Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity- inclusion/