Research Associate - Clean Cooking and Agroforestry

Research Associate: Clean Cooking and Agroforestry for Climate Action and Health in Kenya

Full-time and fixed term for 18 months

Hybrid (2 days in the office and 3 days remote)

Join us and be part of a vibrant community at Loughborough University. 

Here’s more about the role and what we’re looking for:

We are looking for a Research Associate to support delivery of the  Clean Cooking and Agroforestry: A Dual Strategy for Climate Action and Health in Kenya Project, funded by the Wellcome Trust, and recently awarded to Loughborough’s School of Sport Exercise and Health Sciences andCentre for Sustainable Transitions: Energy, Environment and Resilience (STEER).  The Loughborough work package forms part of an international consortium led by CIFOR-ICRAF with partners APHRC and GAMOS East Africa. 

About the University

Universities are one of this country’s greatest assets. We’re educators, employers, innovators and pioneers. We shape culture and society.

At Loughborough, we strive for better, think differently, challenge convention and take action. We are passionate about finding solutions to the major problems faced by society and the planet, and we create opportunities for those with the drive, the ambition, and the determination to apply themselves in the pursuit of better.

About the Department

This Research Associate post will be based at the Loughborough Centre for Sustainable Transitions: Energy, Environment and Resilience (STEER Centre), part of the Department of Geography and Environment in the School of Social Sciences and Humanities. STEER’s aim is to accelerate the transition to inclusive, sustainable and resilient energy systems through innovative research, analysis and capacity building, and it currently holds an established funding portfolio of high profile, internationally focused multi-disciplinary programmes.

About You

• You should have a background in a relevant field (e.g. energy access, energy planning, humanitarian energy, renewable energy, clean cooking, international development policy and programming, global public health), with experience of conducting cross-disciplinary research and other relevant field work in the Global South.
• You should also have a demonstrable understanding of electricity and clean cooking access, gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI)
• You will need previous experience of interacting with diverse stakeholders including government/private sector/civil society/communities and be able to develop strong relationships with partners and stakeholders

Staff from under-represented groups in higher education and the discipline, including those from racialised minorities, who have a physical or invisible disability, or are neurodivergent, are particularly encouraged to apply. The University is a Disability Confident employer, a member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion Scheme and holds Race Equality Charter and Athena SWAN bronze awards.

Why should you Apply?

If this sounds like the right place, team and role for you please do get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Sarah Wykes STEER Centre, via email to: s.wykes@lboro.ac.uk.

For more information refer to the Job Description and Person Specification. 

Application Process

For further support with your application, please refer to our application guidance, which includes some top tips to help you when completing your application.

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process. If there are additional adjustments, you’d like to request please contact ssh.hr@lboro.ac.uk. We also offer reasonable adjustments on the job.

Closing Date: 20th May 2026

Interview Date: anticipated to be the week of 8th June 2026

Our Benefits

At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community. Examples of our benefits include:

Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme.

Where you work - access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Financial Wellbeing - competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities.

Support for you and those close to you - through our range of life event leave policies as well as access to an on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options.

Health and Wellbeing - discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support.

Travel and sustainability - access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting.

Discover more about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.