All Things Urban

The Oval Partnership is an award-winning international practice of strategic planners, architects and urbanists who conceive and execute leading projects that nurture and sustain the long-term value of a community’s social, ecological and economic capital.

Never before has sustainable, evidence-based planning and design taken on such significance as now. Not only does the amount of foot traffic define the success or failure of urban spaces, local economies and healthy communities, but walking is also a key ingredient of urban mobility, so critical to counteract the climate crisis. To accelerate the shift to zero-carbon transport modes and the creation of thriving local community spaces, a new approach to walking is necessary. The Oval Partnership has partnered with Loughborough University under the UKRI Knowledge Transfer Partnership, to develop re:PLACE (REgeneration: PLanning Active Centres), a predictive pedestrian forecasting tool to enable planning and design services for urban regeneration, master planning and facilitate community planning engagement. We are looking for a Pedestrian Movement Analyst / Data Scientist to work to coordinate the re:PLACE as the Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate. In this role, you will work together with Oval Partnership's subsidiary Wedderburn Transport Planning to develop an innovative pedestrian forecasting tool, with the support of an interdisciplinary team at Loughborough University. The closing date for receipt of applications Sunday 17th July 2022

You will be based primarily at the Oval Partnership offices in London. You will also spend time at Loughborough University with the academic team consisting of experts in transport planning, urban planning and design, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) methods and data analysis for construction management. You will have access to a wide range of commercial, R&D and management training programmes, support, and resources and facilities at Loughborough. This will include a wide range of high-spec computing facilities including HPC, high-spec deep learning machines and workstations with the most recent high-performance GPUs and servers. You will be responsible for: - Development of people movement planning tools, - Providing project management, stakeholder engagement and technical input to generate tools for movement modelling and prediction that inform urban planning and development, - Co-ordination the engagement with clients and stakeholders to optimise the tools developed and to progress the exploitation plan, - Working together with suppliers of data, associated software platforms or analytical tools to ensure coordination and quality, - Writing technical notes and contributing to study reports and papers, - Presenting data and the results of spatial studies in a clear and comprehensible fashion, - Monitoring and reporting of project progress.

- You’re a highly-motivated, perceptive and proactive graduate with a relevant Master's degree or post-graduate research degree (PhD) with experience in high-quality research, ideally in urban studies, transport planning or related disciplines. - You’re interested in urban planning, mobility, regeneration and/or other relevant policy issues. A high level of observational skills and attention to human behaviour in public spaces would be ideal. - You know how to take the initiative and collaborate with a diverse team. You have high interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills, with a high standard of spoken and written English. - You’re creative and able to question ideas whilst demonstrating accuracy, attention to detail and high-level, quality presentation. You’re sensitive to the ethical implications of programming and methods to overcome the issue of potential data bias in algorithm development. - You’re proficient in standard database packages and have experience in Python, R, C# or similar and in software or app development. Advanced statistical analysis skills are necessary, with experience and knowledge of machine learning also desirable. Advanced GIS capabilities will be an advantage. - Prior use of statistical, transport or pedestrian modelling packages is desirable, as is familiarity with evaluation techniques applied in the urban or transport planning or related fields. Exposure to pedestrian movement assessment in transport, retail environments and/or public spaces will be an advantage. - The ability to visually communicate ideas and study outcomes will be an asset, along with practice in Adobe graphics software or similar.

The position is full-time and fixed-term for 24 months. Salary will be between £32,000 and £40,000 per annum at a starting salary to be confirmed on offer of appointment. The successful applicant will also receive a £2,000 per annum training budget. You will be employed by Loughborough University. Loughborough University is committed to achieving equality and valuing diversity in all aspects of employment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Loughborough University is a UKVI Sponsor. Some individuals may require sponsorship to enable them to apply for a visa to provide them with the right to work in the UK. Please note certain roles are not eligible for sponsorship. For further information and eligibility please visit the UKVI website.

£32,000 - £40,000 per annum (Confirmation on offer of appointment) plus £2,000 per annum training budget

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