Job Vacancy Archive

Funded Full-time PhD Engineering and Innovation Studentship at The Open University – 2017 entry

Project title: Evaluation of smart innovation and development in smart cities and regions

Supervisors

Dr Sally Caird, STEM Faculty; sally.caird@open.ac.uk

Dr Matthew Cook, STEM Faculty; matthew.cook@open.ac.uk

Project Highlights

Exploring the contribution of urban development theories and Science & Technology Studies (STS) to the evaluation of smart city and regional developments

Investigating evaluation approaches adopted with smart projects and programmes

Evaluating the role of evaluation and novel evaluation frameworks in smart city and regional developments

Further information http://www9.open.ac.uk/mct-ei/phd-studentships

Candidates are required to have a good undergraduate degree (minimum 2:1) in a relevant subject. Studentships cover full-time fees and a stipend for three years (UK/EU rate).

Research Assistant / Associate

Open University – Knowledge Media Institute
Ref: 12424
£28,982 – £35,609 (depending on experience)
Based in Milton Keynes
Temporary Contract until 30th June 2017

The Open University’s Knowledge Media Institute (KMi) has an opening for a Research Assistant or a Research Associate (depending on qualification) to undertake research on the MK:Smart Project

The work will be on Garden Monitor, a mobile application for Android, which supports efficient water management by generating a customized calendar advising users on whether and when they may need to water their garden over the following ten days. The application is able to learn the specific behaviour of a garden and forecast its future condition by integrating data from weather forecasts, garden sensors, and personal and public weather stations.

You will be part of a high-profile research team, working on the MK:Smart Project under the supervision of Professor Enrico Motta.

To apply, please fill the form available at:

Download the Application for Employment Form

Download the Application for Employment (Accessible Version)

Or use the short form below:

Download the Application for Employment Form (Short Version)

Download the Application for Employment (Accessible/Short Version)

Then email it to kmi-recruitment@open.ac.uk quoting the job reference number 12424.

Or post it to:
KMi Recruitment Coordinator
The Open University,
2nd Floor Pentz Building
Walton Hall
MK7 6AA

Closed date: Thursday 23 June 2016.

We promote diversity in employment and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Hard copies and access details for disabled applicants are available from the Recruitment Co-ordinator by email kmi-recruitment@open.ac.uk

Further details on The Open University’s employment conditions can be found at: http://www3.open.ac.uk/employment/benefits.asp

3 Research Associates in HCI and Ubiquitous Computing

Open University – Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology
Ref: 10934
£28,695 – £37,394 depending on experience
Based in Milton Keynes
Fixed term contract until 31st December 2016

The Computing and Communications Department at The Open University is looking for 3 Research Associates in HCI or Ubiquitous Computing, to contribute to the smart city project MK:Smart (https://www.mksmart.org) in the areas of energy management, Urban mobility, human-data interaction and behaviour change.

These positions are an exciting opportunity to conduct research and create impact in an internationally recognised smart city project in collaboration with leading global companies such as E.On, BT and Tech Mahindra.

Researchers are expected to contribute to one or more of the following research projects:

Ubiquitous Computing and HCI for Energy Management across Homes and Electric Vehicles
The aim of this research is to develop holistic energy management solutions for consumers with electric vehicles that enable individuals and families to manage energy across their home and car in innovative ways. This project is run in collaboration with E.On and is an extension of prior research on domestic energy management presented at Ubicomp 2014 (http://oro.open.ac.uk/40465/).

Ubiquitous Computing and HCI for Interaction with the Smart Grid
The aim of this research is to investigate how consumers can interact and experience novel energy management strategies made possible by the smart grid, for example demand response and real-time pricing. This project is run in collaboration with E.On and Tech Mahindra.

Ubiquitous Computing and HCI for Human-Data Interaction and Citizen Data Science
The aim of this research project is to develop tools that empower citizens of all ages to interact with, experience and make sense of urban data (including open, sensor, and citizen generated data). There are several possible directions for this research:

- Supporting citizen interaction with data, including new novel modalities for input and output of data, and new devices.
- Supporting participatory decision making of citizens and city officials
- Enabling citizens to acquire and apply data skills
- Using data to develop innovative citizen services

This project is run in collaboration with Community Action: MK.

Ubiquitous Computing and HCI for Alternative Urban Mobility
This research explores the use of the Internet of Things to support alternative urban mobility scenarios. The project aims to realize and study interventions that enable citizens to develop new mobility practices (such as car ride-sharing, collective car ownership, neighbourhood mobility schemes). This research is in collaboration with citizen groups, BT and Tech Mahindra.

Experience and Skills:
You should have a PhD or equivalent professional qualifications and ideally a track record of relevant publications in HCI or Ubiquitous Computing.
You should have a strong background in experimental research with either a systems or HCI focus.

Informal enquiries are encouraged and may be addressed to Prof Gerd Kortuem.

To apply, please fill the form available at:
http://www3.open.ac.uk/employment/appform.doc
or http://www3.open.ac.uk/employment/appform.pdf and email it to MCT-Staffing@open.ac.uk quoting the job reference number 10934.

Or post it to:
The Staffing Co-ordinator Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology
The Open University,
2nd Floor Pentz Building
Walton Hall
MK7 6AA

Closed: Noon Friday 30 January 2015.
View Further Particulars for Ref: 10934
Information for applicants
This document provides details on the application process and staff benefits

We promote diversity in employment and welcome applications from all sections of the community. If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact the Staffing Team by email MCT-Staffing@open.ac.uk
Further details on The Open University’s employment conditions can be found at: http://www3.open.ac.uk/employment/benefits.asp

Research Assistant/Associate in Smart Cities: Data Science and Open Energy Data

Open University – Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology
Ref: 10053 £30,728 – £36,661
Based in Milton Keynes
Temporary contract until 31st December 2016

The post holder will be responsible for developing a city-wide Open Energy Data initiative. This involves working with multiple stakeholders (Milton Keynes Council, energy companies, end users, government agencies, etc.) in identifying relevant data sources and to collect, process and analyse energy data. A significant part of this role will be to manage and collate existing data sets, to create and publish new data sets and to make use of appropriate tools (or develop new tools) for making data available for developers, citizens and experts. This work should result in a city-wide Energy Map for Milton Keynes that could empower local communities and business to better understand energy trends in their areas. This post requires previous experience in open data, data science, semantic web, information systems, and/or energy informatics or a similar area. A significant part of this work is working together with other team members with expertise in user experience design, intelligent energy systems, data visualisation and social computing (see project web page https://www.mksmart.org). We expect candidates with both demonstrated research skills and very strong technical abilities.

Or post it to:
The Staffing Co-ordinator Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology
The Open University,
2nd Floor Pentz Building
Walton Hall
MK7 6AA

Closed: Noon Thursday 15 May 2014.
View Further Particulars for Ref: 10053
Information for applicants
This document provides details on the application process and staff benefits

Research Assistant/Associate in Smart Cities: Energy Informatics – Dynamic Demand Response

Open University – Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology
Ref: 10054
£30,728 – £36,661
Based in Milton Keynes
Temporary contract until 31st December 2016

Drawing on expertise and experience in distributed systems, ubiquitous computing, semantic web, intelligent energy systems, human-computer interaction and/or social computing the post holder will be responsible for developing novel approaches for dynamic energy demand response related to smart grids. This will enable people and communities to manage their energy consumption during peak demand periods in order to decrease the growth in energy demand that is threatening the stability of electric grids and its current infrastructure. The goal is to develop an open solution that allows aggregating and analysing consumption data across households or buildings, and to realize services for dynamic demand response (by for example shifting or curtailing demand) that make use of incentive strategies such as variable energy pricing and gamification. This role will require effective collaboration within a team of experts spanning computing, intelligent energy systems, user experience design, data visualization and social computing (see project web page https://www.mksmart.org). We expect candidates with both demonstrated research skills and very strong technical abilities.

Or post it to:
The Staffing Co-ordinator Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology
The Open University,
2nd Floor Pentz Building
Walton Hall
MK7 6AA

Closed: Noon Thursday 15 May 2014.
View Further Particulars for Ref: 10054
Information for applicants
This document provides details on the application process and staff benefits

Research Assistant/Associate in Smart Cities: Data Visualisation and Visual Analytics

Open University – Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology
Ref: 10055
£28,132 – £36,661
Based in Milton Keynes
Temporary contract until 31st December 2016

Drawing on expertise and experience in visual interfaces, data visualisation and/or human computer interaction, the post holder will be responsible for developing highly interactive visual analytics systems that helps urban planners, decision makers and citizens make sense of urban data sets, create a better understanding of urban phenomena, problems, and possible remedies. Depending on expertise and experience this work can focus on life-cycle support for analytical reasoning, data transformations and analytic reporting; the integration of geographic and non-geographic data; 2D or 3D simulations of urban systems; or the collaborative and social nature of data inquiry. This role will require effective collaboration within a team of experts spanning urban computing, intelligent energy systems, user experience design and social computing (see project web page https://www.mksmart.org). We expect candidates with both demonstrated research skills and very strong technical abilities.

Or post it to:
The Staffing Co-ordinator Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology
The Open University,
2nd Floor Pentz Building
Walton Hall
MK7 6AA

Closed: Noon Thursday 15 May 2014.
View Further Particulars for Ref: 10055
Information for applicants
This document provides details on the application process and staff benefits

Research Assistant/Associate in Smart Cities: Digital Learning and Data Skills

Open University – Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology
Ref: 10056
£30,728 – £36,661
Based in Milton Keynes
Temporary contract until 31st December 2016

Drawing on expertise and experience in human-computer interaction, educational technology, ubiquitous computing or data visualisation, the post holder will be responsible for developing an interactive learning tool for school children (age 8-16) that enables children to make sense of urban data and understand urban phenomena (related to energy, transport, water, health or social and community issues). The tool should connect schools to the Milton Keynes data hub and give teachers and children in the classroom and at home access to a highly engaging learning environment that encourages collaborative learning, exploring and discovery. Depending on expertise and experience a number of approaches are possible, for example focusing on functional interfaces for interactive data analytics or on playful and fun experiences involving physical computing artifacts. The post holder will be part of a team that will work with local schools to understand technical and educational requirements, deploy and test the tool with children and assess its impact on learning style and educational attainment. This role will require effective collaboration within a team of experts spanning computing, intelligent energy systems, user experience design, data visualisation and social computing (see project web page https://www.mksmart.org). We expect candidates with both demonstrated research skills and very strong technical abilities.

Or post it to:
The Staffing Co-ordinator Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology
The Open University,
2nd Floor Pentz Building
Walton Hall
MK7 6AA

Closed: Noon Thursday 15 May 2014.
View Further Particulars for Ref: 10056
Information for applicants
This document provides details on the application process and staff benefits

Research Assistant/Associate in Smart Cities: Citizen Innovation and User-Centred Design

Open University – Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology
Ref: 10057
£28,132 – £36,661
Based in Milton Keynes
Temporary contract until 31st December 2016

Drawing on expertise and experience in human-computer interaction, user experience design, ubiquitous computing or social computing, the post holder will be responsible for leading a citizen innovation and participatory design programme with the goal to identify and prototype citizen-inspired digital innovations. Areas for exploration can be wide-ranging, from improving health or local transport issues, to tackling social issues such as community connectedness or homelessness. Working with citizen groups, Milton Keynes council, a design agency and a wide array of researchers the post holder will use design thinking and community ideation workshops to explore citizen issues, identify design directions for innovative digital services, and support the development of technical prototypes. This role will require effective collaboration within a team of experts spanning computing, intelligent energy systems, user experience design, data visualization and social computing (see project web page https://www.mksmart.org). We expect candidates with both demonstrated research skills and very strong technical abilities.

Or post it to:
The Staffing Co-ordinator Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology
The Open University,
2nd Floor Pentz Building
Walton Hall
MK7 6AA

Closed: Noon Thursday 15 May 2014.
View Further Particulars for Ref: 10057
Information for applicants
This document provides details on the application process and staff benefits

Job Vacancy Archive

Research Assistant / Associate

Or use the short form below:

3 Research Associates in HCI and Ubiquitous Computing

Research Assistant/Associate in Smart Cities: Data Science and Open Energy Data

Research Assistant/Associate in Smart Cities: Energy Informatics – Dynamic Demand Response

Research Assistant/Associate in Smart Cities: Data Visualisation and Visual Analytics

Research Assistant/Associate in Smart Cities: Digital Learning and Data Skills

Research Assistant/Associate in Smart Cities: Citizen Innovation and User-Centred Design

News

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MK:Smart summary video

Crowdfunding through Our MK platform