Research Associate in Learning Transformational Climate Mitigation

The University of Manchester is seeking a Research Associate in Learning for Transformational Climate Mitigation. The role involves conducting social science research on climate action transferability, reviewing existing research, and engaging with stakeholders through interviews and focus groups. The candidate should possess strong interpersonal skills and experience in qualitative and quantitative methods. This position is suitable for early career researchers looking to deepen their expertise in climate action.
Position: Research Associate in Learning For Transformational Climate Mitigation

Applications are required for the above position to:
• Conduct policy-relevant social science research on transferability of transformative climate action
• Review research undertaken by the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST) through the lens of transferability to understand how insights can be applicable across contexts, communities, scales and sectors
• Design and deliver interviews and focus groups with CAST members, affiliates and partners to identify transferrable findings, and critical reflections on transferability
• Present findings through academic and practitioner focused publications and engagement activities

The post requires a highly motivated and energetic social scientist who is keen to further their research expertise in transformative climate action. The individual will be responsible for delivering a project which undertakes a review of the CAST Centre’s Phase 1 research, activities and outputs to understand where findings have applicability across contexts, communities, scales and sectors. The research will consist of desk-based research and interviews with CAST members, affiliates and partners.

The successful candidate will lead the design and delivery of this synthesis, collate research data from across previous, and ongoing, CAST activities and re-analyse these through the lens of transferability.

The individual will be responsible for delivering a variety of outputs and for sharing lessons from this review. It is anticipated that the outputs from this research will have direct policy and stakeholder relevance. As such, it is important that the individual has strong interpersonal skills and is prepared to conduct knowledge exchange activities.

It is expected that the post holder will have a track record of working on, and understanding, climate action in the CAST areas of focus – mobility, diet, material consumption and thermal comfort; demonstrable experience in qualitative and quantitative social science methods; as well as very strong interpersonal skills to build meaningful and sustainable relationships with members of the CAST community.

This role will contribute to CAST’s workstream on ‘Learning’, undertaking activities to synthesise and develop our understanding of transferability (between contexts, communities, scales and sectors) to contribute to stimulating rapid and meaningful emissions reduction through lifestyle changes. The role would suit an early career researcher seeking to expand their research expertise in the field of transformative climate action. The successful candidate must be keen to engage in policy-relevant interdisciplinary activities and have excellent communication and knowledge exchange skills.

The Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST)

CAST is a multi-disciplinary centre, which examines climate action at multiple scales in terms of the intersecting roles of individuals, social structures and contexts, and policy and political processes. The Centre is led from the University of Bath, with partners at the University of East Anglia, Cardiff University and The University of Manchester. It aims to learn from, and catalyse action in, four challenge areas - material consumption, diet, mobility, and thermal comfort - each of which have substantial climate impacts, but which have so far proven difficult to change.

Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research

Tyndall Manchester conducts interdisciplinary research in the fields of energy, decarbonisation, circular economy, and climate change mitigation. Based in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Tyndall Manchester is based in the School of Engineering and enjoys excellent links to Schools, Institutes and groups across the University including the Sustainable Consumption Institute, the Manchester Urban Institute, the Manchester Environment Research Institute and the newly launched ESRC Centre for Joined-Up Sustainability Transformations (JUST).

It brings together social scientists, economists, scientists and engineers working together to develop sustainable responses to climate change through interdisciplinary research and dialogue at a local and national level.

The…