Research Fellow in Just Transitions

Contract type: Fixed term for 3 years

The Post

The postdoctoral research fellow will support the delivery of a variety of critical research tasks to deliver the JUST-Systems programme on time and to budget. The PDRF will take a leading role in the delivery of the Clackmannanshire and Aberdeen case studies.

In Clackmannanshire, the case explores the design and delivery of a suite of potential projects, including community led energy generation, local heat networks, and the retrofit of domestic and community properties to improve social outcomes, health, and employment, working closely in partnership with Clackmannanshire Council.

In Aberdeen, the case centres on the delivery of improved housing infrastructure (retrofitting) to address fuel poverty and improve health outcomes and will partner with local organisations including NESFIT (NE Scotland Retrofitting Hub), Transition Catalyst and NESCAN (NE Scotland Climate Action Network).

The PDRF will work closely with the project lead, case study leaders from the University of Stirling and Aberdeen and the wider academic team to design and implement social analysis of the cases including regional profiles, interviews and workshops on place-based understanding of Just Transition and critical systems analysis. The role will also include working with the energy systems modelling teams to explore how the social analysis can align with systems modelling to develop evidence-based pathways that inform implementation and policy. The role will focus significant effort on field work, participatory approaches and stakeholder engagement with the opportunity to engage widely across the project teams and UK case studies.

Description of Duties

• Delivery of the Clackmannanshire and Aberdeen case studies including analysis of regional profiles and evidence, field work including interviews and focus groups, and development of creative methods to understand place-based challenges of a Just Transition delivered in WP3
• Working alongside and integrating the case study social research outputs with energy and net zero systems modelling delivered in WP2
• Working alongside and integrating the case study social research outputs with policy and governance analysis in WP4
• Supporting the capacity building of case study partners via the Capacity Building Fund led by WP5 including contribution to events, training and materials

Essential Criteria

• A PhD in social science, geography, environmental or sustainability sciences
• Demonstrable experience in social research methods as applied to community, place based and/or stakeholder focused contexts
• Strong familiarity with the context, concepts and key issues facing Just Transition, climate policy, energy transition or sustainability in a local authority, community or place-based context
• Experience of research collaboration in an interdisciplinary environment 

For further information, including a full description of duties, essential criteria and details on how to apply, please click on the apply button above. 

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