Graduate Research Assistant: Local Climate Adaptation

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements.

These roles may be subject to additional background screening. 

There are two, new full-time posts available from 03/10/2022 on a fixed term term basis until 31/03/2023 based at our Truro Campus in Cornwall.

Please note that as of 1st September 2022 our colleges and schools will be moving into a new structure which will consist of the following three Faculties – Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, (to include the Medical School),  Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, and Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. 

Summary of the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant to join our Local Climate Adaptation Tool (LCAT) Project.

You will join a team involved delivering an on-going project developing a climate change adaptation decision support tool, working in partnership with Cornwall Council, Then Try This and The Turing Institute.  The role will involve a review and collation of the evidence base required by the tool on the impacts of climate change on the health of local populations using causal loop diagrams.

You will work closely with colleagues in the European Centre, the wider University and our partners and stakeholders to help develop this work.

The aims of the project are to support the development of a digital decision support tool on climate change adaptation. The Tool will support local decision makers to consider what adaptation is required and inform decision making that will promote positive health and wellbeing outcomes, and avoid poor unintended consequences.  The project has a national stakeholder group made up of members from across council services, the NHS, voluntary sector and emergency services from across the UK.

You will be expected to liaise and engage with our stakeholders to ensure the tool is ‘fit for purpose’; helping to organise workshops, events etc, consulting with, and responding to stakeholder feedback, and promoting the work of the project. You will also be involved in helping to identify and apply for further funds to continue the project.

The roles are based in the European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH), a research centre of the University of Exeter Medical School and an internationally leading research institution investigating the linkages between environments and health and wellbeing.

The successful candidates will have research experience in a relevant subject such as; health research, economics geography, and ideally also some quantitative skills. Demonstrable knowledge of climate change and human health is desirable, and/or a background in public health.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and QS World University Ranking 2022).  

Our research income in recent years means we’re the fastest growing UK Research University with some of the world’s most influential scientists, and we seek to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today through this. More than 99% of our research is of international quality and our world-leading research impact is growing faster than any other Russell Group university (2021 Research Excellence Framework). We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City .

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

With over 27,000 students and 6,400 staff from 180 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Benefits

We offer some fantastic benefits including: 

• 41 days leave per year
• options for flexible working
• numerous discounts at leading retailers
• onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme
• sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to six weeks full pay) and a new Fertility Treatment Policy
• stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England

Further information

Please contact Emma Bland, [email protected]

The College is proud to have a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment and impact to providing equality of opportunity and advancing the representation of women in STEM/M subjects.  Our Inspiring Stories tell you more about how we support our staff, including through a mentoring programme to help our staff learn from the professional and life experience of colleagues and explore opportunities and actions for career progression.