Research Assistant/Associate in Urban Soil Carbon Capture in Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle University is seeking to recruit a fixed-term Research Assistant/Research Associate in Urban Soil Carbon Capture to join an exciting project funded by the EPSRC's Northern Net Zero Accelerator, managed by Dr Anjali Jayakumar and Professor David Manning. The post will involve developing a sustainable network of non-academic and academic stakeholders in the region, with a common interest in using soils to deliver carbon capture as one of a range of ecosystem services.

The project will revolve around a 'carbon capture garden', which you will create on a live development site using material derived from demolition and waste processing. You will liaise with stakeholders in the design of the facility, to ensure that it meets their needs. A particular focus involves designing structures within the soil to sample the soil solution, and protocols to demonstrate removal of atmospheric CO2 as bicarbonate in solution.

In addition to project-specific activities, you will be encouraged to pursue your own, related, independent research interests and training/development. Furthermore, you will be encouraged to undertake outreach/engagement activities, particularly those designed to increase impact in the context of the Research Excellence Framework.

Successful applicants will join the growing soil carbon group at Newcastle University, which has wider expertise in biochar and Enhanced Rock Weathering. You will work closely with collaborating scientists at Northumbria University, and with others in the region as the project develops.

Key Accountabilities:

• Take responsibility for managing on a day-to-day basis the many separate aspects of the project.
• Liaise closely with non-academic and academic stakeholders, and develop new contacts.
• Plan workshops for stakeholders, working with support staff who will arrange invitations, rooms, catering etc.
• Design a facility approximately 10 x 10 m in size, made by blending crushed concrete and green waste compost, to include sampling apparatus to remove the soil solution for analysis.
• Supervise engineering and other contractors engaged in constructing the facility.
• Test the performance of the facility once constructed, generating baseline data and ongoing monitoring data to assess CO2 removal.
• Develop a protocol for the ongoing scientific use of the facility.
• If necessary, manage the eventual decommissioning of the facility should the land be needed for other purposes.
• Work successfully with others in the research team and wider collaborators to publish world-leading research.
• Present outputs of the research from the research team to academic and non-academic audiences, in written and oral form.
• Contribute to the positive culture and general strengths of the research group and the School; for example, by helping with supervision of project students, participation in outreach, leading initiatives to promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), and organising/participating in research events.
• Any other duties that may be required from time to time, commensurate with the grade of the post.

The Person:

• Excellent organisational skills that relate to the recent construction of facilities with different soil-forming materials.
• Excellent networking skills, with recent experience in liaising with non-academic stakeholders in related soil carbon management facilities.
• Technical skills in sampling the soil solution and processing water samples for chemical analysis aimed at demonstrating CO2 removal.
• A track record of research outputs related to the goals of the project (e.g., publications, software, research tools etc.).
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write creatively for publications, and concisely for communications.
• A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career.
• Driving qualifications that enable you to drive independently to locations in the UK that cannot be reached by public transport, in a vehicle provided by the project.
• Experience in creating and/or delivering activities designed to make science more accessible and inclusive and/or to promote science to the general public (Desirable).

Attributes and Behaviour:

• Ability to work independently using own initiative and to meet strict deadlines.
• Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings and working on joint research projects.
• A commitment to the values of equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of your work.
• Demonstrable commitment to promoting a positive and healthy research culture (e.g., by actively supporting/mentoring students, supporting initiatives to improve the work environment etc.) (Desirable).
• An interest in student supervision (postgraduate and undergraduates) (Desirable).

Qualifications:

• Assistant Level - Working towards PhD in relevant discipline.
• Associate Level - PhD in a relevant discipline, awarded.

Newcastle 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 Gold Athena 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. 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.