Research Associate (Fixed Term)

The Department of Psychology is seeking a Research Associate.

About the role 

We are seeking to appoint a researcher with expertise in qualitative social science methods including interviews and deliberative workshops, with particular focus on working closely with professionals and wider stakeholder groups to understand their perspectives and experiences of designing, implementing, and scaling beyond net zero retrofits. 

You will work closely with the wider research team to understand the experiences of industry and public body professionals and identify opportunities and challenges for embedding and scaling beyond net zero design. 

The research will analyse how processes of co-designing for beyond net zero retrofitting/remodelling might be scaled and replicated within different places and over time. This will include analysis of the processes involved in implementing the prototypes (such as planning approvals, materials procurement, circular economy processes, construction, warranty, and finance) and of the existing systems enabling or constraining scaling of the designs. 

You will work closely with an Exeter-based researcher conducting complementary qualitative social science research to understand perspectives and experiences of householders and communities in our case sites (Bristol and Swansea).

This role is offered on a full time (36.5 hours per week) fixed term basis with an expected end date of 30/04/2025. Applications for part time would also be considered with a minimum of 18.25 hours per week. Please state your preference at application stage. 

About the Project 

Applications are invited for a highly motivated post-doctoral researcher on the AHRC- funded project Transforming Housing and Homes for Future Generations. 

The project aims to transform existing housing by working with communities to co-design Beyond Net Zero resilient homes using bio-based materials together with renewable energy supply and storage. 

The project brings together multiple partners within and outside of academia to create an innovation ecosystem of industry, practitioners, social housing landlords and researchers across the GW4 universities. 

This Psychology (University of Bath) post, supervised by Dr Christina Demski, focuses on the delivery of key social science activities but will require skills for interdisciplinary working. The post will require travel to Bristol and Swansea for fieldwork.

The Research Associate will also have the opportunity to be affiliated with the ESRC Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST ) based at the University of Bath.

For an informal discussion about each role please contact Dr Christina Demski ([email protected]) or Professor Peter Walker ([email protected])

What we can offer you:

We aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award . We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on our teams. 

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff .

Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us @UniofBath and @UniofBathJobs on Twitter for more information.

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Further details:

Visa information

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Update to our application process

We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details will be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.