‘AI for Net Zero’ calls for Fellowship applications

The Universities of Leicester, Loughborough and Bristol are working together on a project within the ‘AI for Net Zero’ programme to develop self-learning digital twins to support decision-making in support of the UK’s net zero commitment. 

Research fellowships in the context of the UKRI grant ‘Self-learning digital twins for sustainable land management’ is developing technology to aid decision-making for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ruminants (cows and sheep) and agricultural peatlands in the UK.

The project is led by Prof Heiko Balzter at the University of Leicester and includes a team of leading researchers from the three research-intensive universities and the National Centre for Earth Observation (based at at Space Park Leicester) with complementary expertise in AI, environmental research, greenhouse gas measurement and modelling, and behavioural and social science, as well as industry leaders.

The Fellowship holder’s research will complement the team of researchers working on the AI for Net Zero project through an independent programme of research. The geographic focus of the fellowship should be the United Kingdom or part thereof.

We are interested in research activities complementing the following areas:

• Informatics / Computer Science / Mathematics: Refinement and extension of the AI and digital twin architecture developed in the project
• Environmental Science / Physical Geography / Physics: Integration of greenhouse gas flux measurements from peatlands collected by eddy covariance towers and chambers with remote sensing datasets
• Environmental Science / Ecology / Agricultural Science / Physical Geography: Estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from ruminants (cows and sheep) and scaling from animal to farm, landscape and regional to national scale
• Psychology / Behavioural Science: Understanding drivers of and barriers to behavioural change in land managers towards adopting more environmentally friendly practices 

Interdisciplinary fellowship applications are desirable. The post holder will be employed by the University of Leicester and can be based at one or more of the participating research groups in the project (Leicester, Bristol and Loughborough).

Vacancy terms: Full time or job share considered, Various Fixed Term posts between 3 and 12 months (end date no later than 31 March 2025)

Salary details: Grade 8 £48,350 to £54,395 per annum (pro rata if part-time)

The advert is closing at midnight on 30 Nov 2023. Applications have to be submitted via this web site: https://jobs.le.ac.uk/vacancies/9041/invited-fellowship-ai4netzero.html 

Informal enquiries can be made to Prof. Heiko Balzter via email to hb91@le.ac.uk.