Postdoctoral Research Associate in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in Edinburgh

Role: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

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

Contract: Full-Time (35 hours per week), Fixed Term for 24 months

Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff.

Detailed Description

TransiT is the UK’s largest research hub dedicated to rapidly decarbonising transport through digital twinning. Led by Heriot-Watt University and the University of Glasgow, this £46 million initiative unites 8 universities and 67 industry partners to address transport decarbonisation. TransiT will create a Federated Transport System of Systems (FTSoS), integrating digital twins across road, rail, air, and maritime transport modes. By leveraging real-time data and advanced modelling, in collaboration with industry and all research partners, TransiT will identify the most cost-effective, energy-efficient pathways to net-zero emissions for policy-makers and industry actors, while ensuring accessibility and resilience for all stakeholders involved. The programme includes a team of 27 research associates across 8 universities who will deliver this ambitious research. The post-holder will work within the TransiT Hub at Heriot-Watt University, with a multi-disciplinary team of researchers who specialise in agent-based modelling, logistics and transportation simulation modelling, supply-chain simulation and optimisation. As part of the team, the post-holder will ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded across the activities of TransiT, both research and operational. We welcome the opportunity to discuss flexible working with the successful candidate, including hybrid working.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct and disseminate original research aligned with the project and in collaboration with the multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary team on equality, diversity and inclusion – this could be EDI in research teams, and/or EDI in transport solutions.
• Work closely with senior decision makers in the industry and across TransiT to enable a programme of work and the evaluation of this research.
• Provide regular updates and progress reports to the project team.
• Lead on the dissemination of research findings in multiple formats including peer reviewed publications.
• Work as part of the broader TransiT consortium to help organize events and/or support the work of the team as needed.
• Contribute to outreach and impact engagement activities of the project.
• Demonstrate initiative in making routine decisions to manage and achieve project deliverables and deadlines.
• Participate in, and develop, networks and collaborations both internally and externally to TransiT.
• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post.

Essential Criteria

• PhD in relevant discipline (or close to successful completion) such as disability studies, sociology, management, transport studies, planning.
• Evidence of understanding of EDI issues as they relate to the focus of TransiT and/or research teams.
• Understanding of the social model of disability and/or disability inclusion (including neurodiversity).
• Evidence of qualitative research skills.
• Evidence of a developing publication record.
• Experience or desire to work with those from other disciplines.
• Evidence of excellent administrative and project management skills.
• Evidence of self-motivation and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Evidence of excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills including the ability to prioritise workload.

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of success in attracting research grants/external funding and delivering on externally funded research projects.
• Evidence or knowledge to support international activities.
• Evidence of a basic knowledge of the Higher Education context and regulatory framework.
• Evidence of a developing publication record.
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary work environment.

How to Apply

Please submit your application via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system with (1) Cover letter (2) Full CV. Applications must be submitted by 11:55pm UK time on 26th May 2026.

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.

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.