Postdoc position in Urban Analytics with focus on big mobility data

This postdoctoral position is an excellent opportunity for an independent and motivated researcher interested in urban analytics of big movement data, applied to transport and mobility questions. You will develop a national open data set of traffic and pedestrian flows based on mobile phone GPS location data. In addition to research, you will contribute to GIS education at both the undergraduate and master level.

Project description
The project ‘FlowSense: High-Resolution Empirical Traffic Flow Data for Research and Decision Making’ aims to produce empirical data of vehicle and pedestrian flows with high spatial and temporal resolution and extensive coverage, using reproducible methods, based on mobile phone GPS location data. Empirical data on traffic flows are instrumental for research and to support decision-making in diverse domains, including transport planning, urban logistics, urban mobility, urban design and planning. However, these data are simply non-existent or do not provide the necessary spatial-temporal coverage or resolution. The result of the project will report the intensity of traffic flows at the road link level, at different times, covering entire metropolitan areas in Sweden and abroad. The application of the data will be demonstrated in relevant transport and urban planning use cases, e.g. congestion, traffic safety, pedestrian exposure to noise, usage of public space. The database and the applications will support data driven decision-making in planning practice, overcoming existing limitations of traffic flow data.

The work will be carried out at the Division of Urban Design and Planning. You will work in a stimulating research environment with senior researchers, other post-docs and PhDs, affiliated with the research areas Local-Regional Transformations and Spatial Morphology, conducting research in the fields of urban analytics, sustainable mobility, spatial decision support systems, and urban morphology.

The Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering (ACE) has about 290 employees encompassing a broad theoretical knowledge base, where design-based artistic architectural research meets engineering, social sciences, and the humanities. In addition, the position will be engaging with cross departmental initiatives at Chalmers, such as the Transport Area of Advance, Infravis, and the Digital Twin Cities Centre, offering opportunities for collaboration in other relevant projects.

Major responsibilities
As postdoctoral researcher you will be the main researcher on the project: ‘FlowSense: High-Resolution Empirical Traffic Flow Data for Research and Decision Making’. You will be responsible for data processing, model calibration, replication of the method in different locations, and demonstration of the database. Your findings are expected to be published in high-impact journals, and the methods and data will be made available to researchers and stakeholders through open access.

Qualifications
To qualify for the position, you must hold a doctoral degree in Urbanism, Urban Analytics, Transport planning, Geomatics, Data Science, or a related field, awarded no more than three years prior to the application deadline (according to the current agreement with the Swedish Agency for Government Employers). Exceptions from the 3-year limit can be made for longer periods resulting from parental leave, sick leave or military service*.

The position requires experience of geodata processing, spatial analysis, statistical analysis, and visualization of urban environments, knowledge of programming in one (or more) of R, Python, SQL, and the use of Github or equivalent. You must also have experience with open-source geodatabases (e.g. PostGIS) and with open-source GIS software (e.g. QGIS).

You are a person who can work independently and lead the writing of scientific articles and reports. Sound oral and written skills in English are a requirement.

Additional merits taken into account are:
- Experience of GPS movement data analysis
- Publication and maintenance of open data and open-source repositories
- Knowledge of big data technologies, e.g. Spark, Geomesa
- Teaching GIS at bachelor and/or master level
- Experience preparing research funding applications

* The date shown in your doctoral degree certificate is the date we use, as this is the date you have met all requirements for the doctoral degree.

Contract terms
This postdoc position is a full-time temporary employment for two years. This can be extended with one more year if additional funding is secured.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with 20240324 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered.

Application deadline: 9 August, 2024
 
For questions, please contact:
Associate professor Jorge Gil, Urban Design and Planning
jorge.gil@chalmers.se, +46 31-772 63 46

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 

Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!