LCA Researcher - Sustainable Net-Zero Innovation

Newcastle University is seeking a Research Assistant/Associate in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for a fixed-term, full-time position in Newcastle upon Tyne. The role focuses on advancing LCA methodologies to evaluate the sustainability of technologies and supply chains in the chemical industry. Responsibilities include conducting LCAs, improving data quality, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. Candidates should have experience with AI/ML in environmental modelling and a passion for collaboration.
Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Research Assistant/Associate in Life Cycle AssessmentRequisition ID: 29529

Location: Newcastle, GB

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Working Pattern: Full Time

Posted Date: 17 Jul 2026

Research Assistant: £33,951 to £35,608 per annum

Research Associate: £36,636 to £37,694 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 20 August 2026

The Role

We are excited to launch this new opportunity for a Research Assistant or Associate in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to join us in the School of Engineering. This position focuses on advancing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies and datasets to evaluate the sustainability of emerging technologies, materials, and supply chains of CO2 from raw materials to products and final disposal in the Chemical Industry.

Great British Chemicals is a National Research & Innovation Centre for Sustainable Industrial Futures. Funded by EPSRC and NERC, the centre will unite the UK chemical industry, academic researchers and policy makers to advance innovative, scalable and sustainable technology solutions for defossilising chemicals manufacturing. We aim to create people-focused opportunities to truly shape sustainable carbon management.

You will contribute to research that integrates supply chain data, environmental modelling, and economic analysis to identify opportunities for reducing emissions, improving resource efficiency, and enabling circular economy strategies. The work will involve analysing flows of materials and energy across global value chains and assessing associated environmental impacts using internationally recognised LCA standards such as ISO 14040/44.

You will conduct a range of LCAs and test the newly developed Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework for the chemical sector. You will develop and implement strategies to improve data availability, quality, and transparency. Having experience with AI/ML for environmental or toxicological modelling would be an advantage. You should be familiar with regulatory data requirements and compliance systems and have the ability to handle data gaps and conflicting datasets for LCAs.

You will join a diverse group of colleagues based in Newcastle in our Environmental Engineering Research Group and work with Oliver Heidrich and Russell Davenport to advance the science, engineering, regulatory practice and environmental assessments of CO2 utilisation.

You will work closely with interdisciplinary teams to develop decision-support tools, including open-source data platforms and models that enable stakeholders to evaluate sustainability trade-offs and inform policy, industry strategy, and innovation pathways.

This role is embedded in a flagship programme GB Chemicals, addressing one of the most critical global challenges: transitioning to sustainable, circular, and net-zero industrial systems.

We are particularly keen to hear from those with a passion for collaboration and the ability to interact and engage with industry and academia, and who can be an integral part of a diverse network of specialists. The research integrates technology scale sustainability and LCA with supply chain modelling, digital tools, and environmental analysis to support decision-making across industry and policy.

You will contribute to shaping how emerging technologies and materials to manage carbon are designed, evaluated, and deployed, ensuring they are environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially responsible. The quantification of the supply chain data with qualitative inputs will identify efficiency opportunities and environmental challenges that may hinder sustainability.

Our work will assess and develop a roadmap to a sustainable net-zero chemical industry towards SSbD chemicals from feedstocks, intermediates and products. The research aims to shape emerging technologies during early developmental stages to ensure they are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.

By focusing on critical resources, minerals, and chemicals, the study will provide actionable recommendations for meeting future demand with minimal environmental impact.

We are committed to making the process accessible to everyone and can provide additional support to make adjustments to meet your needs’. You are required to travel to national project meetings, attend and present at international conferences and liaise closely with industry partners.

Newcastle University follows the Researcher Development Concordat: Researcher Development | Our Research | Newcastle University . We enable all colleagues to fulfil their research potential regardless of career stage. This commitment secures our thrivingresearch culture and vibrant research environment. Our offer to each individual and their researcher development includes mentoring, annual research planning discussions, pooled research funding to support career development and research activities, peer review support for the development of research and innovation funding applications’.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role Profiles.pdf . These profiles set out firstly the generic competencies and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and, secondly, the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

This is a full-time fixed term role, until 31 August 2028.

Key Accountabilities

Research Assistant

Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomesCo-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s)Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research projectWrite up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books)Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriateQuantify flows of materials, carbon, and resources across supply chainsConduct Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) of products, processes, or systems using established databases (e.g., Ecoinvent) and software (e.g., SimaPro, OpenLCA)Develop integrated sustainability models combining environmental, economic (LCC and LCA), and resource efficiency metricsIdentify hotspots for emissions, resource depletion, and environmental impacts across value chainsSupport development of digital tools and data platforms for sustainability assessment and decision-makingIn addition for Research Associate

Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the projectDetermine appropriate methodologies for researchAssess research findings for the need/scope for further investigationsContribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publicationsPresent research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the disciplineContribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for fundingQuantify flows of materials, carbon, and resources across supply chainsConduct Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) of products, processes, or systems using established databases (e.g., Ecoinvent) and software (e.g., SimaPro, OpenLCA)Develop integrated sustainability models combining environmental, economic (LCC and LCA), and resource efficiency metricsIdentify hotspots for emissions, resource depletion, and environmental impacts across value chainsSupport development of digital tools and data platforms for sustainability assessment and decision-makingThe Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Research Assistant

Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracyAbility to present complex information effectively to a range of audiencesProven ability to analyse data and write-up resultsExperience of working collaboratively with colleaguesExcellent IT skills in all major office applicationsThe ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problemsExperience with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)Strong understanding of sustainability assessment frameworks, circular economy principles, and supply chain analysisExperience using LCA tools/databases (e.g., SimaPro, GaBi, OpenLCA, Ecoinvent)Skills in data analysis, modelling, or programming (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB, or similar)Experience working with complex datasets (e.g., environmental, economic, or industrial data)In addition for Research Associate

Awareness of the research environmentHigh level of analytical and problem solving capacityAbility to communicate complex information with clarityExperience of presentations at conferences and high quality publicationsAttributes and Behaviour

Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi-skilled research teamAbility to negotiate and prioritise multiple, competing responsibilities and to work to deadlinesCommitment to continued professional developmentUnderstanding of good practice in equality, inclusion and diversityQualifications

Research Assistant: Honours degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Sustainability, or a related disciplineResearch Associate: PhD in Engineering, Environmental Science, Industrial Ecology, Sustainability, or a closely related fieldNewcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a GoldAthena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

#J-18808-Ljbffr