Research Fellow - Participatory Agent-Based Modelling

Centre for Research in Social Simulation, University of Surrey

Salary: up to GBP 29,541 per annum

The Evolution and Resilience of Industrial Ecosystems programme (ERIE) is a large project funded by EPSRC under its ‘Complexity Science for the Real World’ theme that is addressing a series of fundamental questions about the application of complexity science to social and economic systems. The research aims to embed complexity science methods and techniques within prototype computational tools that will provide policymakers with platforms for strategy testing in real-world socio-economic systems.

We are now looking for a researcher to develop tools for engaging with stakeholders, including public policy and business decision makers. This will involve the development of a simple agent-based modelling framework that could be used by stakeholders involved with UK food supply chains to test policy options. The work will involve devising and justifying an approach to stakeholder participation, the development of software including a suitable user interface, and managing the piloting of the software.

This role may appeal to someone with a background in human-computer interaction, agent-based modelling or game development. It represents an opportunity to develop principles for designing tools for stakeholder use in complex socio-economic systems and showing by example that such tools are effective for engaging with policymakers.

An excellent publication record, the ability to innovate and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment are requirements for the post, which will be available from January 2014 for two years.

ERIE is a six year collaboration between the University of Surrey’s Departments of Computing, Mathematics and Sociology, and the Centre for Environmental Strategy. Eight investigators, 3 research fellows and 9 doctoral students are associated with the project.

For informal discussions about the post, contact Professor Nigel Gilbert at n.gilbert@surrey.ac.uk.

To apply online please go to our website: http://www.surrey.ac.uk/jobs. If you are unable to apply online please contact Ben Watkins quoting Ref 9711, Faculty HR Assistant on Tel: +44 (0) 1483 686255 or e-mail: b.watkins@surrey.ac.uk

The closing date for applications is 25th November 2013

The interview board will be held on 12th December 2013