Research Fellow

This position is part of the RACE for 2030 Cooperative Research Centre

. The overarching research question for this 3-year project is: How do we integrate appropriate design, technologies and governance models to enable net zero to work effectively in different urban fabrics?

Your position is for the

for one of the four NZP pathways of the project:

to address research gaps in

. Questions that this pathway will address include:    How are prosumer and end-user needs and aspirations included in precinct planning, design, and implementation? How are decisions made about decarbonisation strategies, infrastructure, and management and by whom? How to improve information sharing and technical training among NZP members and who is responsible? What governance processes exist and to which extent do they foster stakeholder dialogue, deliberation, and experimentation? And how are collaborative decision making and local leadership strengthened along pathways to the NZP transition?

The Expert Technical Lead for this Governance Practices Pathway will work alongside the other three Expert Technical Leads, for Certification, CER-Grid Integration, and Urban Design, respectively. This provides an excellent opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research, team learning, and comparisons across precinct case studies.

This project is national yet based at Curtin University in Perth. Case studies will cover various urban precinct initiatives across the Perth Metro area that aim to contribute to the net zero goal while collaborating with partner institutions in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Industry and agency partners are enabling their innovations to be directly applied to the development of all the case studies where appropriate. This project is anticipated to grow substantially as its application to multiple other precinct development sites are likely to be a major part of the transition to net zero.

The Expert Technical Lead will report to a senior Professorial Technical Advisor (Prof. Petra Tschakert). Together, they will lead the research team for this Pathway. This entails managing a team of researchers doing PhDs or Masters Dissertations on the project, working with case study partners, drafting reports, organising thematic fora, and publishing research findings.

Familiarity with social science approaches, including mixed, qualitative, and/or participatory research methods and analysis. Strong interest in concepts of governance and inclusive decision making, energy democracy, social transitions, and just transformations. Experience working as part of interdisciplinary teams. Proven skills engaging with diverse stakeholders.  

The NZP project is based in the School of Design and Built Environment with links to the rest of the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Science and Engineering. We are an energetic, dedicated team of academics and professionals working together to address global challenges and contribute to local solutions through quality graduates and innovative research. Curtin University is a welcoming space where integrity, respect for one another, courage, excellence, and impact are essential to everyday life. Situated on Whadjuk Nyungar Country, our vibrant campus includes an art gallery, gym, childcare and medical centre, and endless food options including a supermarket.

We encourage a progressive and diverse workplace, offering generous superannuation and salary packaging benefits. We are committed to looking after our employees by promoting health and wellbeing, work flexibility, and personal development opportunities.

For more information about our university, please visit www.curtin.edu.au

Please provide a

(noted below) to allow us to assess your suitability for this role.

Selection criteria:

• - Familiarity with concepts and the practice of inclusive governance in energy transitions and/or just transformations;
• - Expertise in mixed, qualitative, and/or participatory research methods and data analysis;
• - Experience working as part of interdisciplinary teams;
• - Experience with writing academic publications and/or industry reports;
• - Proven skills engaging with diverse stakeholders (e.g. industries, local governments, residential communities) and cultivating research partnerships.

To view a copy of the Position Description, please copy and paste the following link into your web browser.  http://tinyurl.com/39twp2k7

Applicants should note that prior to appointment, any offer of employment is subject to completion of National Police Records checks, and background, integrity, and reference checks to Curtin’s satisfaction. At Curtin, we are committed to being a Child Safe organisation and this position may also require you to have a current Working With Children Check.

As this is a fixed-term contract, you will require current work rights in Australia that match the tenure of this role.

To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Associate Professor Nasrin Aghamohammadi, Project Manager at [email protected]

Please note we are not accepting applications from recruitment agencies at this time.

If you have any queries in relation to this application process, please contact our careers team on 08 9266 9000 (option 3,1), quoting the reference number.