Marie Curie Doctoral Fellow - Data science to deliver Nature-based solutions - GCU01787

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This is a full time/fixed term opportunity for 36 months

We have three Marie Curie Doctoral Fellow opportunities and candidates must submit separate applications for each post they wish to be considered for

Gross salary per month (before tax, employer and employee national insurance costs and pension contributions): 3400 Euro + 600 Euro mobility allowance + family allowance 660 Euro (if you have family at the time of recruitment)

In accordance with the EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie-Actions financial guidelines for this scheme.

(Salary is paid in £, the precise figure is dependent on £/Euro conversion rate)

An exciting and rare opportunity to join a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Doctoral Training Network programme.

We are looking for an ambitious and talented early stage researcher, who is passionate about harnessing Data Science and AI for the common good and social innovation. The researcher will join a cohort of 13 fellows from the Data2Action Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Doctoral Training Network programme (www.Data2Action.eu)

The successful candidate will be registered as a Marie Curie PhD student with the topic: Mining traditional and practitioner knowledge with data science to deliver Nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation . The aim of the research is to shape the future of data and AI for good from a technological, social/environmental and career perspective. The main objectives are:

1. Curate GCU and Partner data on NBS be embedded in the Global South to both understand the context of NBS in which the data has been generated as well as site visits, interviews and fieldwork to undertake own top-up data
2. Carry out reverse innovation for applicability in the Global
3. Develop AI tools to answer questions risk reduction, societal acceptance, anticipate potential challenges and barriers to the implementation of NBS in different contexts.
4. Work with Nature-based Enterprises and social innovators to develop long-term sustainability plan for NBS interventions
5. Facilitate public participation in NBS intervention plans to develop AI tools for social enterprises on NBS

Data2Action: is the Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Doctoral Training Network programme uniting social innovation with data science & AI for common good. Data2Action exists to make emerging technology work harder for humanity, enabling us to co-create a healthier, fairer and more sustainable world for all. Data2Action aims to train the next generation of leaders in data science, AI and social innovation, through solid research training, mentoring, networking and collaboration with industry and third sector.

The Data2Action project is situated at the intersection between social innovation, digital technology development and tech/data/AI for good.

Data2Action will bring together top researchers and experts in data science, AI, and social innovation to collaborate on five pivotal outcomes that will turn possibilities into positive impact.

#1 Co-creating a research roadmap
An evidence-based framework of best practices for applying data science and AI to drive social innovation more efficiently and rapidly.

#2 Developing and testing through living labs
Demonstrator projects showcasing the benefits of data-driven social innovations addressing climate change, social justice, democracy, health, and ageing.

#3 Establishing an Data/AI-for-good academy'
Open-source training and tools to build capacity in social innovators, entrepreneurs and grassroots changemakers, so they can harness data science and artificial intelligence effectively, responsibly and equitably.

#4 Carving out career pathways for pioneers
A blueprint for well-paid roles with prospects in purposeful data science and AI.

#5 Guiding better informed social leadership
Practical advice, support and advocacy to encourage policymakers, funders, and government organisations to ethically embed data science and AI for common good.

Marie Skłodowska-CurieDoctoral Network (MSCA)

The MSCA programme offers competitive and attractive working conditions. You will have an employment contract from the recruiting beneficiary. You will benefit from a competitive salary, annual leave, social security coverage. The salary will be composed of:

• A living allowance (around 3400 euros per month - gross salary) which is adjusted by applying a country correction coefficient to the living allowance of the country in which the researcher is recruited. The country correction coefficients are indicated in Table 1 of the MSCA Work Programme
• Monthly mobility allowance: 600 euro/month
• Monthly family allowance, if applicable and depending on the family situation: 660 euro/month

The Doctoral Fellow will have the opportunity to conduct secondments in leading Data for good organisations and social enterprise to learn on the job and develop networks.

For additional information see EU MSCA website. Please be aware that these amounts are subject to taxes and the exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment. The research project should result in a PhD thesis.

The Project

The main objective of the research project of the doctoral candidate is to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to integrate traditional, practitioner and community knowledge to enhance the design and implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to de-risk hydrometeorological risks. The key risks of focus of this project will be flooding and overheating. The main objectives are:

1. Curate GCU and Partner data on NBS be embedded in the Global South to both understand the context of NBS in which the data has been generated as well as site visits, interviews and fieldwork to undertake own top-up data
2. Carry out reverse innovation for applicability in the Global
3. Develop AI tools to answer questions risk reduction, societal acceptance, anticipate potential challenges and barriers to the implementation of NBS in different contexts.
4. Work with Nature-based Enterprises and social innovators to develop long-term sustainability plan for NBS interventions
5. Facilitate public participation in NBS intervention plans to develop AI tools for social enterprises on NBS

To achieve this, the fellow will:

1) utilise data from living labs operated by GCU and partners across multiple climatic regions rich in climate change and NbS interventions data;

2) immerse themselves in living labs to understand NbS contexts and collect additional data, including traditional knowledge from Global South partners. The AI tools developed will blend environmental data with stakeholder and NbS performance data, employing advanced modelling and machine learning algorithms, such as Random Forest combined with Partial Dependence Plots, in R.

3) test implementation and knowledge from the Global South, facilitating reverse innovation applicable in Europe. The project also addresses NbS ownership and sustainability, collaborating with social enterprises to develop long-term plans for NbS interventions;

4) facilitate public participation facilitation in NbS plans, climate change adaptation strategies, and recommendations for AI tools supporting social enterprises in NbS.

The Doctoral Candidate will have the opportunity to conduct secondments in the Global South (such as the University of Sao Paulo) and organisations such as GCVS and social enterprise to learn on the job and develop networks.

The Doctoral Candidate will be expected to:

• Report on findings by publishing scientific articles, resulting in a PhD dissertation;
• Present findings at (inter)national meetings/conferences;
• Contribute to the wider work of the Data2Action project
• Contribute to educational activities of the department and within the consortium.

Further details on this post and more details of the project are available by contacting Prof Rohinton Emmanuel at rohinton.emmanuel@gcu.ac.uk.

The Candidate

We are looking for an individual with a passion for data science and AI for the common good. We are particularly interested in ambitious individuals looking to become leaders in a new field of research and to shape the future of technological development. The candidate will need good organisational skills and the ability to communicate clearly with a variety of audiences.

Requirements

Essential:

• Eligible applicants must possess or be finalising a Master's degree or an equivalent degree in a relevant discipline for Data2Action. Possible disciplines include e.g., Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Sustainability Science, computer science, artificial intelligence, ICT engineering, digital humanities.
• Excellent English language proficiency
• Competencies: Open-minded, collaborative, critical thinker, team player, strong communicator, self-motivated, self-driven, great communication skills and ability to work in multidisciplinary environment.
• Strong knowledge of hydrometeorological risks arising from climate change
• Applicants must be available full-time to start the program in September 2025.

Desirable:

• Prior experience in working with NBS, climate change risk reduction and/or working with community-based organisations
• Coding in python/R
• Ability to develop AI tools
• Knowledge of data science pipeline and tools
• Ability to synthesise complex information.
• Familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research methods, including interviews, surveys, and case study analysis.

Eligibility Conditions:

• Applicants do not already hold a doctoral degree.
• Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
• Applicant must be eligible for a working visa in the UK

The University

As the University for the Common Good, we are committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as our values in everything that we do. As such, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who demonstrate the GCU Values.

Glasgow Caledonian University is committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process that is free from bias so that we can attract and retain a high performing workforce which makes a critical contribution to our success.

The University holds the prestigious Athena SWAN Silver institution award, which recognises our significant record of activity and achievement in promoting gender equality across different disciplines.

As a Disability Confident 'Committed' employer, we are striving to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to disabled people. Although the Disability Confident 'Committed' level does not guarantee an interview for disabled applicants, we will make reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants during the recruitment process.

The University also holds the Carer Positive Engaged 'employer award, which recognises our commitment to supporting staff with caring responsibilities.

Glasgow Caledonian University are committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant.

The University offers a range of benefits including opportunities for professional development, family friendly policies, cycle to work scheme and onsite childcare facilities.