Research Fellow / Senior Research Fellow (Climate Policy and Health) UCL/GLA in London

Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering (IEDE) pursues a deeper understanding of the interactions between the built environment and health, human wellbeing, productivity, energy use and climate change. Our courses train students wanting to make buildings, towns and cities more sustainable, efficient, and healthier. We deliver interdisciplinary built environment research to improve health, wellbeing and sustainability. Our specialist expertise in temperature, moisture and air quality, light and lighting, and acoustics is underpinned by systems thinking to understand how different elements interact to create buildings and spaces where people can live healthy, fulfilling lives. We have numerous research and consultancy relationships with industry and governments and a long track record of translating our world‑leading research into powerful competitive advantages for partners in industry, government and charity.

The postholder will be based in IEDE and will work intensively with other colleagues and partners of the ‘Policy and Implementation for Climate & Health Equity (PAICE)’ project. The PAICE programme will inform and evaluate UK Net Zero policies using transdisciplinary approaches to generate and implement evidence. Climate change mitigation policy must consider population health and health equity alongside reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and would benefit from an integrated, intersectoral approach. We will develop shared priorities with stakeholders, understand current and planned policies, build models to assess their cross‑sectoral impact, consolidate a monitoring framework, and evaluate and help accelerate delivery. PAICE brings together experts from four Wellcome‑funded projects (CUSSH, SHEFS, Pathfinder Initiative and HEROIC) that have generated evidence on the connections between climate and health in the energy, housing, food and transport sectors.

The main role of the successful applicant will be to strengthen the consideration of health in evidence‑informed climate policy design within the Greater London Authority (GLA). The GLA is the devolved regional governance body of Greater London. The successful candidate will undertake a policy exchange placement in the GLA Public Health Unit in order to help reframe policy across thematic areas, bringing together the climate change adaptation and mitigation agendas through a health equity lens. The ideal candidate is a highly analytical person with a PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant area and a keen interest in transdisciplinary research.

Within the remit of policy design, the person should have a background in either:

• Built environment and public health, with a focus on housing and retrofitting, including quantitative methods in energy or building stock modelling;
• Social science or policy research, with a focus on qualitative approaches to climate change and health.

They should have skills in evidence synthesis, inequalities and ideally some experience or interest in implementation science. Previous policy experience is desirable, and an interest in the intersection between climate, health and adaptation is essential. The candidate should be passionate about using their skills to address the interlinked challenges of reducing environmental footprints, increasing resilience to environmental change and promoting and protecting health. This post is available immediately and is funded until the 30 April 2027 in the first instance; further funding to support the post may become available.

A PhD in a relevant field, close to completion or commensurate experience is required. A background in either:

• Built environment and public health, with a focus on housing and retrofitting, including quantitative methods in energy or building stock modelling.
• Social science or policy research, with a focus on qualitative approaches to climate change and health.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits, some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On‑site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.