Graduate Research Assistant

Job details

Salary: The starting salary will be from £32,332 to £33,966 on Grade E,
depending on qualifications and experience.
Contractual hours: 36.5
Basis: Full-time
Package: Generous holiday allowances, flexible working, pension scheme and
relocation package (if applicable).
Job category/type: Research
Job reference: R87573

Job description

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

This full-time post is available immediately on a permanent basis.

Summary of the role

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Graduate Research Assistant to support work at the Centre for
Energy and Environment (CEE), a small but long-standing research group specialising in aspects
of the built environment with a focus on energy and low carbon development.

Researchers at CEE are engaged in applied research and consultancy in the public and private
sectors and have helped to shape energy and emissions reduction strategies, planning and
building design and contribute directly to decision and policy making in local and national
government. Research at CEE is varied and may encompass energy use and renewable energy,
transport, waste, land use and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

Projects are often conducted over relatively short timescales (weeks/months rather than years),
so clear planning and good time management are essential. CEE can draw on data from government,
published research or more directly using our own monitoring and assessment capabilities.
Analysis is often supported with bespoke data processing and modelling using Matlab, GIS, IES,
Visual Basic and spreadsheets.

Successful applicants will work closely with members of CEE and external clients to develop
research proposals, undertake analyses, and present results in a variety of formats including
technical reports and presentations. While research is often desk-based, site visits and travel
to meetings or conferences could also be required.

The post is available immediately but with scope for a flexible start for the right candidate.

About you

A first degree in a relevant science or engineering subject is required and may be supplemented
with a postgraduate qualification and/or relevant work experience or placements.

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes
and communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically. You may also be
required to prepare proposals and applications to external bodies. Research may be undertaken
collaboratively as part of a CEE project team, or individually where project requirements and
personal skills are well aligned.

You will be familiar with the climate change agenda including primary causes, options for
mitigation and adaptation, and have some awareness of government policies. You will be expected
to have technical knowledge and/or transferrable skills in one or more areas of interest to CEE
such as low carbon planning and construction, renewable energy, energy efficiency, demand
management, transport or waste. Relevant technical experience will be considered if it enhances
the services that the group currently offers. Experience of working with databases or in
programming environments such as R, Python or Energy Plus could also be an advantage, as could
familiarity with GIS tools.

Much of the work carried out at CEE is data driven and you will be expected to have skills in
data processing and analysis as well as the ability to distil complex or multi-faceted problems
into component parts to prioritise actions and responses. You should also be willing to develop
new skills and expertise where there are benefits to CEE and its clients.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this
role.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across
  disciplines to produce internationally exciting research
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner
  with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics
  providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their
  potential and develop their career
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption
  and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks’ full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks’ full
  pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the
top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS
World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research,
achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold
ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in
recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to
answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99% of our
research is of international quality and 47% is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence
Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the
impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our
world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing
world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub)
is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and
workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from
groups currently underrepresented within our working community.

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries, we offer a diverse and
engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are
committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to
thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter
frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality
Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident
employer.

Further information

For further information or to discuss the post please contact Tony Norton, Head of the Centre
for Energy and the Environment. Please email [email protected] in the first instance.

So, if you’d like to join us as a Graduate Research Assistant, please apply via the button
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