VLC Europe

Consultant – Data Scientist and Analytics

Veitch Lister Consulting (VLC) has an exciting new opening in the UK, for a motivated individual with a passion for transport modelling and innovation who would enjoy the opportunity to help shape our future, and join our growing team in the UK.   
VLC is a multi-disciplinary advisory firm, specialising in transport planning, analytics and modelling, policy and economics, and data science and visualisation. With our data and evidence-led approach, we help clients to make planning and policy decisions which support the creation of liveable and connected communities.  

We have a 35-year history, and although much of our work is in Australia, we have a growing European track record in the UK but also, for example, in France. Our culture is fast-paced and innovative, where professional development is encouraged and supported. Our current set up in the UK is intentionally hybrid, with home working mixed with flexi-office team working and we don’t view location as a barrier for defining this role.

Insights from the UK team
Tom van Vuren, a well-respected industry figure, set up VLC in the UK in February 2021, says: “Working with colleagues, data and analytical tools from another continent stimulates innovative thinking. I enjoy bringing new insights into our UK professional environment and want others to get that same job satisfaction. We have made a good start and I am sure the right person will thrive also”.

Claire Stephens, a chartered transport planning/modelling project manager, joined Tom in October to help grow the business in the UK and Europe “this was a unique opportunity I couldn’t resist, joining a well-established Australian team who are thought leaders in the modelling field, to help grow the business in the UK. Coming from a larger organisation, my day-to-day work has been very different but something I have enjoyed including business development, growing my networks, talking to VLC colleagues in Australia and most importantly work-winning and delivery in a friendly and professional team.”   

Jeff Wu has recently joined VLC as a consultant whilst currently completing his doctoral studies at Imperial College London. “Innovation and curiosity are key to VLC’s commercial success, with colleagues embracing new technologies and research to deliver a better solution for our clients. I joined VLC during my PhD, because I knew the company would open up my potential and put my skills gained during my PhD to use.”

The opportunity  

Within the UK & Europe team, you will be responsible for supporting project delivery teams, primarily in the field of data analytics, programming and transport modelling, providing technical expertise to ensure that project outcomes meet quality standards and client expectations. This support could involve a multitude of tasks such as setting up and running models, assisting the maintenance and management of transport models, developing simple tools (using Python/Ruby or other software) in order to deliver tailored outputs and report writing.

The role will include the delivery of timely, accurate and high quality outputs on smaller projects or specific tasks on larger projects, contribution to bids and proposals, and establishing and maintaining effective relationships with Project Managers.
The position offers the potential for you to further develop your career in transport modelling. Our current areas of work include activity and agent-based modelling, business case support for major highway and public transport projects, the development and application of transport and land use modelling tools, many with open access components, and the promotion of our data analytics and visualisation platform Planwisely.  

About you  
Our ideal candidate will have a passion for data analysis, preferably but not necessarily in a transport planning and modelling environment.  

You will be comfortable with different analytical tools, from EXCEL to databases and statistical estimation packages; you will know which instruments are most suitable for the job. We are particularly interested in candidates who are comfortable operating in an open source environment.

With an interest in delivering transport modelling and analytical solutions within the commercial and private sector environment, you will have the following skills:
•We value skills in Python, R, SQL, JavaScript, C++. Practical experience in estimating choice models with packages such as ALogit, Biogeme or Larch is a definite advantage.
•Appropriate utilisation of software tools, such as Python, GIS, Excel, ACCESS to build and test modelling systems and applications.  
•An understanding and experience in commercial data analytics packages such as TABLEAU and PowerBI
•Desirable but not essential is a previous exposure to and/or knowledge of transport modelling packages such as VISUM, CUBE or EMME.

The successful candidate will most likely be educated to degree standard or equivalent in a relevant field.  

Join us  

All applications will be accepted via our website at veitchlister.com/join-us. 

Please address your cover letter to Claire Stephens Associate Director.

Candidates who progress to the next stage of our recruitment process will be invited to attend a video interview. Prior to offer, candidates will be required to participate in our pre-employment screening process which involves employment verification (including professional reference checks) and a criminal background check. To be considered for this role you will need permanent, unrestricted UK work rights. VLC are committed to the equal treatment for all applicants exhibited by ethical decision making, procedural fairness and respect for diversity.

To apply please click on the link below: https://bit.ly/3TS6G2K