Research Associate in Approximated Reasoning for Computational Systems

Role: Research Associate in Approximated Reasoning for Computational Systems

Grade and Salary: Grade 7, £37,694 - £47,389 per annum

FTE and working pattern: 1FTE, 35hrs per week, Monday - Friday, Fixed Term for 20 months

Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

Purpose of Role

As a Research Associate, you will engage as a researcher in individual and collaborative research on EPSRC grant EP/Y000455/1  A Correct-by-Construction Approach to Approximate Computation , establishing a distinctive programme of research and disseminating results through regular publications in high impact journals, books and conference proceedings. You will apply, as Principal Investigator and/or Co-Investigator, to appropriate external bodies for research funding and manage grants awarded. You will co-manage a research team (students and staff), providing direction, support and guidance and you will participate in and develop external networks to foster research collaborations, to inform the development of research objectives and to identify potential sources of funding. You will develop knowledge exchange activities by, for example, establishing research links with industry and influencing public policy and the professions and you will collaborate with colleagues to ensure that research advances inform departmental teaching effort, including contributing to relevant teaching programmes as appropriate. You will carry out Department, Faculty and/or University administrative and management functions, for example through membership of committees and engage in continuous professional development. 

To be considered for the role, you will be educated to a minimum of PhD level in an appropriate discipline, or have significant relevant experience in addition to a relevant degree. You will have research interests consistent with the strategic direction of the Department as well as appropriate for the grant, a body of published research in high quality publications demonstrating standards of excellence, and an ability to develop research proposals and to attract funding and research students, as appropriate to the discipline. You will have an ability to plan and organise research programmes, to ensure successful completion and you will have experience of planning and organising workloads, including the ability to supervise and delegate  work. You will have an ability to work within a team environment and to lead teams and excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to listen, engage and persuade, and to present complex information in an accessible way to a range of audiences. 

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• To pursue and establish a high-quality research programme centered on the EPSRC grant EP/Y000455/1 A Correct-by-Construction Approach to Approximate Computation, including securing research contracts and funding; to disseminate research results via publications in peer reviewed journals and conferences; where appropriate, to manage a research team (staff and students); to engage as appropriate in relevant teaching, professional and knowledge exchange activities

• Engage as a researcher in individual and collaborative research, establishing a distinctive programme of research and disseminating results through regular publications in high impact journals, books and conference proceedings. 

• Apply, as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator, to appropriate external bodies for research funding and manage grants awarded

• Manage a research team (students and staff), providing direction, support and guidance

• Participate in and develop external networks to foster research collaborations, to inform the development of research objectives and to identify potential sources of funding

• Develop knowledge exchange activities by, for example, establishing research links with industry and influencing public policy and the professions

• Engage in continuous professional development

Education, Qualifications and Experience   

Qualifications   

• A BSc, MSc, and PhD degree in an appropriate discipline. 

• Membership of relevant Chartered/professional bodies (including Higher Education Academy) 

Essential Criteria   

• Experience of planning and organising workload, including the ability to supervise and delegate work. 

• A body of published research in high quality publications demonstrating standards of excellence, and relevance to the project. 

• Ability to plan and organise research programmes to ensure successful completion. 

• Ability to work within a team environment and to lead teams. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to listen, engage and persuade, and to present complex information in an accessible way to a range of audiences. 

• Desirable Criteria  

• Some experience of teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate levels. 

• Experience of multi/inter-disciplinary research. 

• Ability to develop research proposals and to attract funding and research students, as appropriate to the discipline, including experience of contributing to grant applications. 

• Track record in knowledge exchange related activities. 

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) to Tuesday 02 December 2025. Please submit your CV & covering letter via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment.

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

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 and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers .

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About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.