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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to assess the environmental impact of circular economy strategies for UK buildings.
- Company: University of Bath, renowned for its commitment to diversity and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, professional development, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a supportive, inclusive environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in sustainable building practices while collaborating with experts.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field, life cycle assessment expertise, and programming skills.
The predicted salary is between 38784 - 46049 £ per year.
About the role
We are looking for a researcher to join our team to work on an exciting multi-institution project on circular economy for buildings: BuildZero. BuildZero aims to understand if the UK’s needs from its building stock can be met with zero new raw material extraction, zero emissions and zero waste. Our research will show to what extent this vision is achievable and desirable, and provide a platform for translating circular economy approaches into practice and policy at scale. Within this wider project, your focus will be on understanding the environmental footprint of circular economy strategies into the future.
To do this, you will conduct prospective life cycle assessment of BuildZero strategies. This is essential to ensure that selected strategies really do move us towards zero carbon and zero waste construction when the whole life cycle is considered. To conduct your work you will be an integral member of the large, multidisciplinary BuildZero project team, and you will also contribute to wider project tasks, events, and outputs.
A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course (PhD) completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.
About you
Our ideal candidates will have:
- Completed a PhD in a relevant discipline.
- Expertise in life cycle assessment.
- Experience using Brightway 2 and/or openLCA, or other relevant experience in programming (particularly Python).
- Familiarity with issues of circular economy and the built environment, though this could be substituted by a strong ability for interdisciplinary collaboration and a willingness to learn.
Apart from excellent technical skills, you will need:
- The ability to organise and prioritise your own workload, and to work in a broad interdisciplinary team, both within Bath and across the wider project.
- Excellent oral, interpersonal and written communication skills.
Interaction with academic and industrial partners of BuildZero, and participation in consortium events, will be expected.
Further information
This role is a full time position, initially offered for 2 years and available from 1 June 2026. Part time working may be possible and if interested in applying on this basis you should make this clear on your application form. We offer a hybrid working arrangement, combining the benefits of remote working with regular on-campus collaboration. You will be required to work on campus 2–3 days per week. As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.
For further details of the role’s requirements, please see the job description. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Dr. Stephen Allen.
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
What we can offer you
We’re continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:
- Free counselling services through Health Assured
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
- Staff discount on language courses
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
- A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
- Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- Local discounts and more
- A family-friendly workplace
- An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
- Relocation allowance
- Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
Find out more about our benefits.
Closing Date: 15 May 2026
Department: Education & Research
Salary: £38,784 to £46,049
Research Associate in Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of UK Buildings (SS13588) - Bath, BA2 7AY employer: University of Bath
Contact Detail:
University of Bath Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Associate in Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of UK Buildings (SS13588) - Bath, BA2 7AY
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those involved in circular economy and life cycle assessment. Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your expertise in life cycle assessment and any relevant projects you've worked on. This can really set you apart during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your communication skills. Focus on articulating your experience with Brightway 2, openLCA, and your understanding of the circular economy.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at the University of Bath.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate in Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of UK Buildings (SS13588) - Bath, BA2 7AY
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role. We want to see how you can contribute to the BuildZero project, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise in life cycle assessment!
Be Clear and Concise: When answering the shortlisting questions, keep your responses clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured answers that get straight to the heart of the matter, so avoid fluff and focus on what really matters.
Show Your Passion for Circular Economy: Let your enthusiasm for the circular economy and sustainable building practices shine through in your application. We’re looking for candidates who are not just qualified but also genuinely excited about making a difference in this field.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures that your application is seen by the right people during the shortlisting process.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Bath
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your life cycle assessment knowledge and any relevant programming skills, especially with Brightway 2 or openLCA. Being able to discuss your expertise confidently will show that you're the right fit for the role.
✨Show Your Passion for Circular Economy
Demonstrate your understanding of circular economy principles and how they apply to the built environment. Share examples of how you've engaged with these concepts in your previous work or studies to highlight your enthusiasm for the project.
✨Prepare for Teamwork Questions
Since this role involves working in a multidisciplinary team, be ready to discuss your experience collaborating with others. Think of specific examples where you successfully worked in a team setting and how you contributed to achieving common goals.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions prepared about the BuildZero project or the team's dynamics. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.