Research Associate in BuildZero Techno-Economics at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research

Job reference: SAE-028989
Salary: £37,174 to £45,413 per annum dependent on relevant experience
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering
Location: Oxford Road
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
Hours Per Week: Full Time (1 FTE)
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 01/07/2025
Contract Duration: 30 months
School/Directorate: School of Engineering

Applications are invited for the above position, ideally starting in October 2025, although a slightly earlier or later start date is possible to accommodate flexible or part-time working. The post-holder will join the £6m BuildZero consortium funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The BuildZero Programme envisions a UK building stock with zero new raw material extraction, zero emissions and zero waste. Currently, buildings and infrastructure are responsible for over 40 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions, produce over 60 per cent of the UK’s waste, and consume approximately 50 per cent of all extracted materials globally. To eliminate these impacts, significant and system-wide changes are required. The construction sector’s economic activity by value focuses predominantly on new work rather than on retrofitting and repurposing, the mainstay of the circular economy. Improving the commercial appeal of circular economy in buildings would require new ownership models focused on service delivery, new supply chains and customer demand. However, the notions of what is viable might be upended by the disruptions that the sector is facing from digitalisation, new materials and sustainability requirements, which could further reinforce stakeholders’ risky perceptions of circular business models. The work led by the Tyndall Centre at the University of Manchester will evaluate and quantify the economic viability of circular economy measures and of associated business models.

We are looking for a person comfortable with quantitative research methods, such as economic feasibility assessment and techno-economic modelling, while appreciating how insights from qualitative research can inform this work.

The post-holder will be based within an interdisciplinary and collegiate team of researchers at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research in the University of Manchester, and work closely with the consortium partners. We seek applicants with a passion for research and a demonstrable skill to work in a highly interdisciplinary environment. Aligned with the Tyndall Centre’s mission, you will contribute towards the research team’s efforts to conduct research with genuine impact on policy and practice, and to publish in the very highest quality journals (indicatively, these might be Nature Climate Change, Nature Energy, and Journal of Environmental Science & Policy). This is a 30-month post in the first instance, with a possibility of extension.

More detailed information about the responsibilities of the post and selection criteria can be found in the ‘Further Particulars’ document.

The School is committed to Athena SWAN principles, promotes gender equality and diversity throughout the School. Applications are particularly welcomed from women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic applicants. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Prof Maria Sharmina

Email: maria.sharmina@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

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