Research Assistant or Research Fellow in Futures Analysis and Policy

School/Department: School of Water, Energy and Environment
Based at: Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire
Hours of work: 37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered.
Contract type: Fixed term contract
Fixed Term Period: 12 months
Salary: Research Assistant (if close to completing PhD) Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £32,810 per annum Research Fellow (if PhD obtained) Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £35,559 per annum
Apply by: 28/06/2023

Role Description

About the Role

You will join the Decision Science Group, within Cranfield Environment Centre, to work on number of exciting projects, which are supporting the UK Government’s policies and decision-making.  These include strategic projects with UK and European government agencies, and other Government departments and project collaborators.

The role will involve working on a wide range of projects and require an interdisciplinary approach, employing system thinking, to examine a wide range of issues (e.g., social, technological, economic, environmental, and political).

About You

You will have broad understanding of futures methods and approaches, and an ability to apply them to understand how policy organisations are impacted by, and can respond to, external change. PhD (obtained or near completion) in future analysis, systems modelling (with a focus on social systems) or the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience

You will be experienced in, and comfortable with, applying and embedding futures methods to enhance forward-thinking and planning in government organisations as opposed to specialising in a particular sector or discipline.

You will have to liaise and work closely with academics at Cranfield as well as project partners at UK and EU Government agencies, other Government departments and project collaborators.  As a result, the role will require excellent interpersonal and teamworking skills.  You will also have excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as an ability to produce high quality deliverables to tight, and often changing, deadlines. You will also have a peer-reviewed publication track record as evidence of the ability to prepare, edit, and submit high quality research outputs.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here .

The focus of Cranfield Environment Centre  is to transform the science of environmental solutions through a systems approach, spanning sensor and measurement technology, systems modelling, environmental informatics, data and decision science.  The Centre covers research on air quality and climate change, soil quality, crop growth and monitoring, natural capital, resilience ecosystems goods and services.

Cranfield's Decision Science Group  undertakes applied research to support evidence-based decision-making in uncertain and complex situations, taking a transdisciplinary approach to research, integrating expertise and methods from across different disciplines. Our strength is bringing different concepts and techniques together to support improved evidence-based decision making. The research conducted by the Decision Science Group is critical for supporting decision-makers tasked with addressing emerging and increasingly complex forms of environmental challenges, particularly those associated with global change and complex socio-technical systems.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here .

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families . Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here .

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply                                           

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Dr Kenisha Garnett, Lecturer in Decision Science, on (T): 01234 754292 or (E): [email protected]

Apply online now . Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: [email protected] . Please quote reference number 4558.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 28 June 2023