Planning/Transportation/City Science Post-Doctoral Researcher

Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi – UAE

Position: Planning/Transportation/City Science Post-Doctoral Researcher

Applicants are invited for the position of Planning/Transportation/ or Urban Design Post-Doctoral Researcher to join an urban form and spatial structure research project at Khalifa University. This project will evaluate urbanization in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) focusing primarily on the description, performance, and analysis of the built environment of their seven largest cities: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyad, Doha, Muscat, Manamah, and Kuwait City.

This study aims to enhance the sustainability of GCC cities by introducing empirically-based planning and design guidelines that promote less energy-intensive urban environments. By examining the intricate relationship between urban morphology, accessibility, and active mobility, the research aims to both validate and challenge existing critiques of Gulf urbanism through empirical analysis. An in-depth analysis of seven GCC cities will utilize mixed methods of morphological mapping and network analysis to evaluate how conducive the current urban environment is to active mobility.

Research novelty and expected outcomes

The novelty of this research lies in four aspects: (1) it will establish a seed of a digital database of the GCC cities comprising street networks, urban forms, land uses, and pedestrian footpaths; (2) it will adapt current analytical methods to produce a comprehensive assessment of the GCC’s urban forms; (3) it will utilize the analysis outcomes to develop design-retrofitting parametric models of the neighborhoods found in the GCC; (4) it will use the outcomes of the analysis retrofitting phases to deliver design and planning guidelines revisions.

1. Provide a comprehensive and context-sensitive planning policy that addresses guidelines for sustainable urban growth and development.
2. Propose optimized urban forms that enhance walkable accessibility and reduce vehicle dependency by redesigning or adapting neighborhood configurations in areas with suboptimal accessibility, drawing insights from exemplary cases.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic and innovative researcher holding a Doctorate in Urban and Regional Planning, Transportation Engineering/Planning, or a closely related discipline. They should demonstrate strong potential for excellence in research that bridges city design with advanced data analytics, emphasizing sustainable urbanism, urban form, network analysis, and the science of city transformation. Expertise in data science and analytics, land-use and transportation science, and the application of analytical techniques to urban systems is essential.

The successful candidate is expected to have a solid understanding of theoretical and practical applications of urban assessment tools (AI, Coding, Network and Centrality Analysis, Transportation Modeling, GIS) as applied to urban planning and design. Good oral and written communication skills are essential. The candidate is expected to have a strong ability to work with other research staff and graduate students.

The offer is a minimum of 24 months appointment, extendible to three years. The candidate will be mainly based at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Candidates with excellent credentials and commitment to further this research to successful outcomes are strongly encouraged to apply for the position.

Package:

The position offers a very competitive tax-free salary package, full health insurance coverage, and one economy class airline ticket annually to the selected candidate’s home country. The position will commence in January 2025. Both male and female individuals are highly encouraged to apply.

The projects Principal Investigator is:

Dr. Khaled Alawadi

Applicants should submit electronically the following to Dr. Khaled Alawadi at:

Khaled.alawadi@ku.ac.ae