Research Associate in the Design and Development of Sustainable Buildings

About the role:

Applications are invited for a highly motivated and ambitious Research Associate to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team of researchers, led by Dr Steve Allen, in the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering.

You will be joining a significant EU research project that aims to co-design, test, implement and monitor innovative bio-based and geo-based lower carbon products and facade solutions to improve the energy efficiency and whole life impact of buildings. As well as delivering high quality research, you will be expected to develop strong and effective working relationships with project teams and partners and external stakeholders. 

Further information:

This is a full-time position, initially for 24 months fixed term, available from April 2024. The post is available part time to allow the postholder to also support Professor Pete Walker’s project as detailed here (two part time contracts with total of 1 FTE). Please note you will need to apply for both vacancies for this to be considered. Both projects involve building retrofit for improved energy performance and both focus on bio-based materials. Both projects involve Prof Pete Walker and Dr Andy Shea, and include use of the same experimental facility (Large Environmental Chamber at our Building Research Park). Accordingly, there is a great deal of overlap in terms of skill set.

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Dr Andy Shea on [email protected] or Dr Steve Allen on [email protected] . Please ensure you submit your application via our website. 

About you:

Our ideal candidate will have completed a PhD in a relevant built environment discipline, or closely related area. 

You will also have expertise in at least two of the following areas:  

• Bio-based materials laboratory testing and characterisation;
• Building element hygrothermal performance modelling (for example, WUFI);
• Circular design in the built environment;
• In-situ energy performance monitoring of building façade elements.

For a full Person Specification please see the Job Description attached below. 

You will have the attributes to develop into a kind and culturally team player who fosters an environment where every individual is valued and respected, regardless of their background or identity. You will proactively seek out diverse perspectives, recognizing the richness and creativity this brings to decision-making and problem-solving.

You will remain optimistic in the face of challenges, seeing them as opportunities for growth and innovation. You will understand that change is inevitable and necessary, actively encouraging those around you to adapt and evolve. By promoting a culture of openness and inclusivity, coupled with a willingness to listen as well as a readiness to embrace change, you will contribute profoundly to a dynamic and empowered team that can thrive in today’s rapidly changing world.

What we can offer you:

Find out more about our benefits .

We consider ourselves 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:

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.