Job DescriptionPosition DetailsSchool of Chemical Engineering
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149
Grade: 7
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to December 2027
Closing date: 9th April 2025
Interview date: 1st May 2025
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BackgroundThe Global Centre for Clean Energy and Equitable Transportation Solutions (CLEETS) is recruiting a highly motivated researcher with a background in energy and/or transport infrastructure systems to join a successful team at the University of Birmingham.
CLEETS is a vibrant collaboration between UK and US universities, aiming to advance a sustainable transition across energy and transport systems (see https://www.cleets-global-center.org/). Professor Jonathan Radcliffe leads the UKRI funded research in the UK, and the researcher will be part of a multi-disciplinary team of researchers based at the University of Birmingham, collaborating closely with Cardiff University.
The primary aim of this role is to advance understanding of how transport infrastructure can be developed to decarbonise mobility in city regions. The role will consider the intersection of transport with the energy system, and the governance frameworks that underpin and shape these systems. The role will include engaging closely with local stakeholders to understand place-based needs and opportunities, including through the co-creation of decarbonisation scenarios and pathways.
There will be opportunities to contribute across the project's scope and to work with multi-disciplinary research groups in the UK, US and other countries. We are committed to personal development and will work with the successful applicant to support their career development. Opportunities include research exchanges and visits with our international partners and more formal training.
The position requires an individual with a high-level of analytical capability who can demonstrate expertise in energy and/or transport, with experience of quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods research, but should be able to effectively work across disciplines. For example, the post could be suitable for someone from an engineering background who can understand the non-technical, socio-political issues facing transport decarbonisation. It is equally open to researchers from social sciences/economics backgrounds with relevant analytical skills.
Expertise in one or more of the following areas would be an advantage:
- energy or transport systems modelling
- energy or transport policy
- decarbonisation transitions
- participatory methods and stakeholder engagement approaches
Role SummaryThis focus of this role is to explore how transport infrastructure can be developed to decarbonise mobility in city regions, in particular, considering the intersection of transport with the energy system.
The post holder will:
- Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
- Operate within area of specialism
- Analyse and interpret research findings and results
- Contribute to generating funding
- Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar
Main DutiesThe responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
- Establish options for decision-makers to decarbonise road transport in city regions with respect to infrastructure systems and with consideration of governance frameworks
- Co-create transport decarbonisation scenarios/pathways and assess their impact on local energy systems
- Stakeholder engagement: maintain and develop relationships with existing and new stakeholders, working closely with them to understand their needs and objectives.
- Maintain strong links with energy and transport research communities across the university and CLEETS network
- Collect, analyse and interpret data, and prepare research findings for publication, research seminars etc
- Present research findings and outputs to academic and non-academic audiences, using different formats e.g. through posters, policy briefs
- Analyse and interpret research findings and results to inform investment decisions, policy options and further research for energy sector decarbonisation
- Contribute to the planning and organising of the energy and transport systems research programme
- Co-ordinate own work with others to engage relevant expertise across the University and with external partners
- Decide in consultation with the principal investigator and others as appropriate, the most appropriate way of undertaking the specified research activities
- Contribute to deciding what information to include in a bid for research funding and how to present the bid to maximise the likelihood of securing the funding
- Decide in collaboration with co-authors which aspects of the research findings to include in a presentation or a publication and how to convey the findings
- Liaise with research staff and support staff on research-related matters
- Liaise with external collaborators on the research and explore policy implications, where appropriate
- Give presentations and/or contribute to presentations at national and/or international conferences
- Maintain contact with (including membership of) appropriate professional bodies
- Liaise with the relevant external research community via seminars and conferences
- Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
- Contribute to writing bids for research funding
- Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
- Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
- Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
- Undertake management/administration arising from research
- Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
- Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
- Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
- Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
- Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
- Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
Person Specification - PhD (or near to completion) in an area relevant to transport or energy systems
- Background may be in quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods research but should be able to effectively work across disciplines
- High level of analytical capability, with good knowledge of energy and/or transport infrastructure systems
- Experience in participatory methods and stakeholder engagement approaches would be an advantage
- Demonstrable knowledge of energy/transport policy, and/or systems modelling experience, are desirable
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly for academic and non-academic audiences
- Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
- High level analytical capability
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly
- Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
- Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
- Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
- Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
- Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
- Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly
Informal enquiries to Professor Jonathan Radcliffe, email: j.radcliffe@bham.ac.uk
We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.
You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.
