Next Generation Activity/Travel Demand Modelling Postdoctoral Fellow

Areas of Research:
Activity/Travel Demand Modelling; Agent-Based Microsimulation; Integrated Urban
Modelling; Behavioural Economics; Data Analytics & Machine Learning

Position Overview:
The postdoctoral fellow (PDF) will undertake advanced activity/travel demand modelling
research within the Urban Modelling Collaboratory (UMC). Building upon the University of Toronto’s world-leading urban simulation modelling capabilities, UMC is developing “next generation” models that will capture the impact of travellers’ behavioural shifts to new mobility services, active transportation and post-pandemic adaptations. The PDF will utilize both “classical” econometric and machine learning methods to develop behaviourally sound, policy sensitive models within a comprehensive computational environment for designing and testing urban sustainability solutions. These models will support the analysis of the impacts of future urban mobility scenarios on climate, health and social equity, and the impacts of technology and other disruptions on future mobility.

Description of Duties:
The PDF will engage in original methodological and substantive research contributing to the development of “next generation” agent- and activity-based microsimulation models and modelling software. The PDF will work within a research team consisting of full-time technical staff, graduate students and other PDFs, housed within UTTRI’s Travel Modelling Group (TMG; https://tmg.utoronto.ca/). The PDF will assist with proposal writing, research report writing, and journal and conference paper preparation, in addition to undertaking original research, both individually and within group activities.

Required Qualifications:
– PhD degree awarded within the past 5 years in a discipline relevant to the project.
– Extensive experience in activity/travel demand modelling and/or integrated transport-land use modelling. – Demonstrated data science experience, including advanced econometrics and machine learning, and including computing expertise to support the PDF’s data analysis and model estimation activities.
– Excellent written and oral communication in English.
– Excellent personal time management, project management and organizational skills.
– Demonstrated capability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team
environment.

Supervisor:
Prof. Eric J. Miller, UTTRI Director, and Principal Investigator for the project. Prof. Miller is an international leader in travel behaviour research and sustainable transportation planning.

Term:
Two years (24 months), commencing January 1, 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter. Potential
exists for a one-year renewal, subject to extension of project funding.

Salary: $60,000/ year + conference travel + benefits + 15 days of vacation

Facilities:
The PDF will have office space within UTTRI on the University of Toronto’s St. George campus and have access to the full range of UofT research facilities (library, internet, high-performance computing, etc.). The University of Toronto is a highly ranked global research university that offers postdoctoral fellows the highest levels of opportunity for professional and scholarly training, network development, and the opportunity to engage with stakeholders throughout the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. The successful candidate will be eligible to apply for additional travel and research supports designated
for UofT PDFs.

Application Instructions
All inquires and application submissions should be sent to the UTTRI Director, Prof. Eric J. Miller (eric.miller@utoronto.ca). A complete submission should consist of a cover letter, a short research statement, a CV, and contact details for two references. Please email materials in a single PDF with the subject line: UMC PDF Application Last Name-First Name.

Closing date: Screening of applications will commence on November 1, 2021 and continue until the position is filled.
FTE: 1.0 Full-time equivalent
The normal hours of work are 40 hours per week for a full-time postdoctoral fellow recognizing that the needs of the employee’s research and training and the needs of the supervisor’s research program may require flexibility in the performance of the employee’s duties and hours of work.

Employment as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto is covered by the terms of the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement.
This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement.
The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.