At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct life cycle assessments to support zero carbon and waste construction strategies.
- Company: Join a leading university project focused on the circular economy for buildings.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, professional development, and discounts on gym and tuition fees.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable building practices while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and expertise in life cycle assessment required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 € per year.
We are looking for a researcher to join our team to work on an exciting multi‑institution project on the 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.
About the Role
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. You will be an integral member of the large, multidisciplinary BuildZero project team, and 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 PhD completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.
About You
- 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, or a strong ability for interdisciplinary collaboration and a willingness to learn.
- 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.
Working Conditions
Full‑time position for 2 years, available from 1 June 2026. Part‑time working may be possible. Hybrid working arrangement: remote work combined with regular on‑campus collaboration. You will be required to work on campus 2–3 days per week. As a member of Research Staff you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days of professional development pro‑rata per year.
Benefits
- 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.
- A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships and LinkedIn Learning.
- 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 some immigration expenses.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff and community. We celebrate difference, respect all individuals and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds and communities, particularly from under‑represented groups. We are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, and are an accredited Disability Confident and autism‑friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff. All applicants will be considered for a suitable position, and the selection process is designed to reduce unconscious bias and is fully anonymised at the initial shortlisting stage.
Research Associate in Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of UK Buildings employer: University of Bath
Join a forward-thinking team at the University of Bath, where you will contribute to groundbreaking research on the circular economy in the built environment. With a strong commitment to professional development, a family-friendly workplace, and a diverse and inclusive culture, we offer an excellent benefits package that includes generous leave, pension schemes, and local discounts. This role not only allows you to make a meaningful impact on sustainability but also provides opportunities for collaboration across disciplines and institutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Associate in Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of UK Buildings
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how important it is to make those personal connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their goals, especially around circular economy strategies. We recommend practising common interview questions and even doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your expertise in life cycle assessment and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your value to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who are eager to contribute to exciting projects like BuildZero.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate in Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of UK Buildings
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Research Associate role. Highlight your expertise in life cycle assessment and any relevant experience with Brightway 2 or openLCA. We want to see how your skills align with our BuildZero project!
Show Your Passion:Let us know why you're excited about the circular economy and its impact on UK buildings. Share any personal projects or research that demonstrate your commitment to sustainability. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely passionate about their field!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and achievements. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that we receive all your details correctly and helps us keep track of your application. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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 be ready to discuss how it applies to the circular economy in buildings. Familiarise yourself with BuildZero's goals and think about how your expertise can contribute to achieving zero carbon and zero waste.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Be prepared to talk about your experience with Brightway 2, openLCA, or any relevant programming skills, especially in Python. Have specific examples ready that demonstrate how you've used these tools in past projects or research.
✨Interdisciplinary Collaboration is Key
Since this role involves working within a multidisciplinary team, highlight your ability to collaborate across different fields. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with others from diverse backgrounds and how you can bring that experience to the BuildZero project.
✨Communicate Clearly
Excellent communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. Be ready to discuss how you would engage with academic and industrial partners, as well as your approach to participating in consortium events.
