Postdoctoral Researcher in the Political Economy of Net Zero

Join a major UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project exploring how the UK can deliver a fair and effective transition to net zero. Based at the Environmental Change Institute, this role focuses on rethinking the political economy of decarbonisation across key sectors including energy, housing, transport, and food.

Working with Dr Donal Brown, you will play a central role in delivering a core work package examining how ownership structures, governance systems, business models, and value logics shape the outcomes and public legitimacy of the net zero transition. Your research will combine political economy, economic history, sociology, and sustainability studies to analyse current decarbonisation pathways and explore alternative models capable of delivering more equitable social and environmental outcomes.

You will undertake mixed-methods research, including literature and policy analysis, interviews with policymakers and industry stakeholders, and the development of conceptual frameworks around a “new political economy of net zero.” You will contribute to high-quality academic publications and policy-relevant outputs, and engage in wider debates on sustainability transitions.

• Collaborate with the project lead (Dr Donal Brown) to deliver a core work package examining how ownership structures, governance systems, business models, and value logics shape the outcomes and public legitimacy of the net zero transition.
• Analyse current decarbonisation pathways and explore alternative models capable of delivering more equitable social and environmental outcomes using political economy, economic history, sociology, and sustainability studies.
• Undertake mixed-methods research, including literature and policy analysis, interviews with policymakers and industry stakeholders, and development of conceptual frameworks around a “new political economy of net zero.”
• Contribute to high-quality academic publications and policy-relevant outputs, and engage in wider debates on sustainability transitions.

• PhD/DPhil in a relevant field or closely related discipline, or near completion.
• Strong analytical and research skills, including experience with qualitative methods and interdisciplinary work.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to both academic and policy audiences.
• Experience working collaboratively within a research team.
• Commitment to producing high-quality academic publications and policy-relevant outputs.

This is an opportunity to contribute to a high-profile research programme shaping how the UK navigates the social, economic, and political challenges of achieving net zero. This post is fixed term until 31 May 2029 and offered on a full time basis (1 FTE / 37.5 hours).

You will be required to upload a covering letter with a supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. In your supporting statement, please explain how you meet each of the selection criteria found in the job description, and why you would like to do this role. The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on 11 June 2026. Only applications submitted by this time will be considered.

The University of Oxford and The School of Geography and the Environment are Silver Athena SWAN holders. Applications are particularly welcome and encouraged from women, Black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in posts in The School of Geography and the Environment. The School of Geography and the Environment is committed to equality and values diversity.