Research Assistant/Associate in Carbon Accounting

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

 Salary: Research Assistant: £28,756 - £30,497 per annum

         Research Associate: £31,406 - £40,927 per annum

Closing Date: 6th December 2021

https://jobs.ncl.ac.uk/job/Newcastle-Research-AssistantAssociate-in-Carbon-Accounting/745972101/

The Role

We are seeking a motivated individual to join our dedicated research family working as part of a new multi-million pound Living Lab Project. The project’s unique integrated approach uses technologies from different disciplines with the common goal of achieving Net Zero for a University Defence partner. You will be part of one of six experiments that make up the Living Lab framework and your focus is the Carbon Accounting Experiment. This project will provide baselines and life cycle inventories for a military base by conducting Carbon Accounting; it will create a governance framework and database for energy and carbon accounting. 

You will conduct stakeholder interviews and help establish a Living Lab research methodology. As part of the role, you will liaise effectively with researchers across a range of disciplines around emerging carbon reduction technologies. The project quantifies emissions (scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions) of operational responsibility e.g. energy consumption at offices and communal housing; fleet vehicles and parts of the supply chain. You will develop carbon accounting baselines and set reduction targets/goals. As part of the project, you will provide transparent evaluations of the different interventions and design a Carbon Zero roadmap for our Defence partner. The roadmap will support the carbon reduction actions at a specific location and support the organisation’s capability to scale across the organisation, UK Defence and perhaps NATO Defence sector more widely. The role will enable you to collaborate with a team of academics and you need to publish research outcomes in high-quality journals. 

 To apply, you must hold, or be about to obtain, a PhD in Civil or Environmental Engineering, Operational Management or Geography. You must have expertise in Carbon Accounting, conducting interviews, developing databases and working procedures or have experience in related fields. A track record of publishing research in high quality journals and experience supervising student research projects is desirable. 

 The post is full-time, fixed term from the 1 Feb 2022 for 30 months.

 We are dedicated to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment and would be happy to discuss flexible working arrangements or part-time working. This role will be mainly based in Newcastle University, with regular visits to our project partner and other travel might be required on an ad-hoc basis.
 

Security: As the Living Lab is with a partner in the Defence sector, you should be prepared for security checks if you are selected as the preferred candidate. For example, individuals working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.
 
To apply, please complete the online application and upload a CV and a covering letter. Please structure your covering letter as a supporting statement outlining how you meet or exceed the requirements for the role as listed below.

 For all informal enquiries, please contact please contact Dr Oliver Heidrich, oliver.heidrich@ncl.ac.uk  +44 (0) 191 208 6563

 For more information about the School of Engineering and our research, please click here.

 Key Accountabilities

 Conduct Carbon Accounting at a military base and make the methodology transferable to other sites

• Establish Living Lab working procedures
• Effectively collaborate, communicate and engage with our Defence sector project partner 
• Conduct interviews and stakeholder meetings
• Support the environmental evaluations of interventions of emerging technologies for carbon reduction 
• To support evidence-based decision-making
• Publish research outcomes in high quality journals
• Present the results of the research to multi-disciplinary audiences at project meetings, national and international conferences
• Design a Zero Carbon roadmap for our partner, provide baseline and technology integration scenario management and provide visual presentation of options for ongoing carbon monitoring and management 
• Liaise effectively with stakeholders and researchers across a range of disciplines

 

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

 Demonstrated capabilities in research planning, risk assessment and experimental work

• A track record of academic publications
• Familiarity with carbon accounting procedures
• Familiarity in conducting interviews
• Evidence of quality research output from experienced candidates, or strong research potential from early career candidates 
• Excellent general computing skills for productivity, analysis and presentation
• Strong presentation skills 
• Excellent scientific writing skills
• Good interpersonal skills and the proven ability to work effectively both individually and in a multi-disciplinary team
• Must be able to access data and knowledge efficiently, working independently when appropriate and seeking advice when required
• Experience of working in a university research role 

 

Attributes and Behaviour
 

• A commitment to working with due attention to the safety of themselves and others
• Punctual and reliable; excellent time-management skills
• Being a trusted and professional ambassador for Newcastle University and promoting the School of Engineering
• Self-motivation, a determination to be successful and a commitment to high standards
• The capacity to undertake original research and work independently
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written (e.g technical reports, papers, presentations)
• An ability to interact with professionals and Defence sector personnel from different disciplines and work as part of a multidisciplinary team across various locations, settings and research sites
• Demonstrated ability in developing strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement to interface between the academic community and stakeholders
• Experience of, or exposure to, creating professional connections with potential collaborators and project partners at an international, national, and regional level
• Professional approach with a commitment to equality, diversity, dignity and respect in the workplace
• The ability and willingness to travel locally between Newcastle University and research sites
• A willingness to take on the day-to-day supervision of PhD students as requested by the PI

 

Qualifications
 

• A degree in Engineering, Business Management, Geography or related area
•  PhD awarded for Associate level (or nearing completion for Assistant level) in PhD in Civil or Environmental Engineering, Operational Management or Geography, or a related discipline