Description
Hosting organisation: Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
School: School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society
Research Institute: Institute for Infrastructure and Environment
Potential supervisor: Dr Sandhya Patidar, Associate Professor
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Scheme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships
Expression of interest deadline: 15 May 2026
Internal EOI deadline: 20 May 2026
MSCA PF call deadline: 9 September 2026
This is an invitation for expressions of interest from outstanding postdoctoral researchers who wish to apply for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship with Dr Sandhya Patidar, Associate Professor in the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society.
This hosting offer is aimed at excellent early-career researchers working at the interface of artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistical modelling, mathematical modelling, data science, digital twins, uncertainty quantification, and real-world engineering or environmental applications.
Dr Patidar’s research focuses on interdisciplinary applications of data science, integrating mathematical, statistical and machine learning methods to address complex challenges in energy systems, water resources, climate change, extreme events, flood risk, environmental impact assessment and infrastructure systems. Her work includes physics-informed AI, hybrid statistical–machine learning frameworks, federated and edge learning, multi-objective safety-aware optimisation, risk and uncertainty quantification, and interpretable AI for operational digital twins.
The successful candidate will be supported in developing a competitive MSCA proposal that combines methodological innovation with a strong application focus and clear potential for scientific, societal, environmental and policy impact.
Dr Patidar has extensive experience in mathematical, statistical and AI techniques, including Hidden Markov modelling, stochastic processes, time-series modelling, uncertainty analysis, complex networks, nonlinear dynamical systems, bifurcation analysis, chaos theory, and machine/deep learning.
Ideal candidate profile
We welcome expressions of interest from candidates with a strong research profile in one or more of the following areas:
- Artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science or applied statistics
- Applied mathematics, computational modelling or scientific computing
- Energy systems, smart buildings, net-zero technologies or climate-energy modelling
- Water resources, environmental systems, pollution risk or nature-based solutions
- Civil, infrastructure or environmental engineering
- Climate change, flood risk, extreme events or resilience modelling
- Digital twins, federated learning, edge AI or trustworthy AI
The ideal candidate should have:
- A completed PhD by the MSCA call deadline
- A strong publication record appropriate to career stage
- A clear and ambitious research vision
- Strong quantitative, computational or modelling skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to develop an interdisciplinary proposal aligned with MSCA priorities
- Interest in international mobility, training, knowledge exchange and impact
Experience in Python, R, MATLAB, C, C++ or FORTRAN would be advantageous, as Dr Patidar’s profile highlights extensive experience in big-data analytics and scientific programming across these tools.
Possible MSCA proposal directions
Potential applicants may wish to develop proposals around themes such as:
- Explainable Agentic AI for Nature-Based Remediation of PFAS in Agricultural Soil–Groundwater Systems
- Trustworthy Digital Twins for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and Environmental Decision-Making
- Physics-Informed AI for Smart Energy Communities and Heat Pump Flexibility
- Federated and Edge AI for Privacy-Preserving Energy and Infrastructure Analytics
- Uncertainty-Aware Machine Learning for Flood, Climate and Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment
- Interpretable AI for Water-Quality Risk Intelligence and Environmental Impact Assessment
- Hybrid Statistical–Machine Learning Models for Climate-Sensitive Energy Demand Forecasting
These examples are indicative. Candidates are encouraged to bring their own ideas and shape a proposal that combines their expertise with the host supervisor’s research strengths.
Host expertise and support
Dr Sandhya Patidar is an Associate Professor at Heriot-Watt University, based in the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society and affiliated with the Institute for Infrastructure and Environment. Her research focuses on interdisciplinary data science and AI applications across energy, water, climate, extreme events, flood risk, environmental impact assessment and infrastructure systems.
She has led and contributed to multiple UKRI and Horizon Europe projects, including EPSRC-funded projects and Horizon Europe projects FEDECOM and InterPED. Her profile lists more than 100 peer-reviewed interdisciplinary publications and multiple research awards, including awards from the World Renewable Energy Congress, Loughborough University, Newcastle University and the Institution of Civil Engineers.
The selected candidate will receive support in:
- Developing a strong MSCA research idea and proposal structure
- Aligning the proposal with MSCA excellence, impact and implementation criteria
- Identifying training, secondment and knowledge-exchange opportunities
- Strengthening the interdisciplinary methodology
- Designing credible impact, dissemination and exploitation pathways
- Preparing for the internal Heriot-Watt EOI process
Eligibility note
Candidates must comply with the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship eligibility and mobility rules. Applicants should carefully check their eligibility, including PhD award status, research experience, mobility rule, and any applicable resubmission restrictions.
For MSCA PF 2026, proposals involving the same individual researcher and the same recruiting organisation that were submitted to the MSCA PF 2025 call and received a score below 80% must not be resubmitted. Eligible resubmitted proposals will be evaluated independently of previous evaluations.
How to express interest
Interested candidates should send the following documents by 15 May 2026:
- A short CV, including publication list
- A one-page outline of the proposed research idea
- A short statement explaining fit with Dr Patidar’s expertise and the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme
- Confirmation of MSCA eligibility, including mobility rule and previous MSCA PF submission history, if applicable
Informal enquiries are welcome.
Contact:
Dr Sandhya Patidar
Associate Professor
School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society
Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
Email: S.Patidar@hw.ac.uk
Profile: https://researchportal.hw.ac.uk/en/persons/sandhya-patidar/
