University of Cambridge
Research Assistant/Associate in Climate Compatible Growth x 2 (Fixed Term)

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Two Research Assistant/Associate Positions in Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) Programme
Two Research Assistant/Associate positions have become available as part of the Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) programme, an exciting research programme involving leading UK universities and KTH, Sweden. CCG is funded by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), which aims to support investment in sustainable energy and transport systems to meet development priorities in the Global South. The key partner countries in CCG are Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and India where joint research projects are in place. The specific focus of this post is critical materials (such as lithium, cobalt, graphite) to support low-carbon transitions globally.
The post holders will be located in Cambridge, UK. These posts are full-time and offered on a fixed-term contract basis until 31.03.27, starting as soon as possible.
The Key Responsibilities and Duties Are
- Research critical material production & supply chains
- Model supply chain changes techno-economically
- Academic & policy writing
- Collaborate with institutions in selected CCG partner countries
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The Skills, Qualifications and Experience Required for the Roles
Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD in Engineering or a field relating to mining, supply chains, or similar.
- Knowledge and experience in: environmental assessment, emissions accounting, tools of Industrial Ecology; cost estimations of supply chains and production processes of minerals; programming languages (i.e. Python, MATLAB, R), software control (i.e. GitHub) and GIS-type software.
- Collaboration and communication with multicultural partners, policymakers, research institutes, colleagues.
- Evidence of potential to produce and clearly communicate high-quality research outputs.
- Experience of managing own workload, sticking to deadlines, and ability to constantly update knowledge.
Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.
Salary Ranges
- Research Assistant: £33,002 - £35,608
- Research Associate: £37,694 - £46,049


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Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2027 in the first instance.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter and publication list in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please submit your application by midnight on the closing date.
If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Prof Jonathan Cullen at jmc99@cam.ac.uk for queries of a technical nature related to this role, and please contact Kirsten Saward at khs29@cam.ac.uk for queries about the application process.
Please quote reference NM51366 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
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