Research Associate in Responsible Innovation and Living BioBuildings

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

The Role
We are seeking a creative researcher to join the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment with a profound interest in Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) in the context of biotechnology in the built environment. The Hub (HBBE) is an exciting new collaboration between Newcastle University and Northumbria University supported by £8M of research funding. Our vision is to develop biotechnologies to create a new generation of Living Buildings which are responsive to their natural environment; grown using living engineered materials to reduce inefficient industrial construction processes; metabolise their own waste, reducing pollution and generating energy and high-value products, and modulate their microbiome to benefit human health and wellbeing.

We are looking for a creative, highly motivated and adaptable social scientist who will work with Dr Carmen McLeod to support studies on the social and cultural dimensions of HBBE-related research projects. A key element of this research will be based on developing a user group of households who we can access as part of Responsible Innovation activities, household-based experiments (e.g. domestic microbiome studies) and who would act as an ‘extended family' for the HBBE and our experimental house (the ‘OME'). The researcher will work across all of our themes which include: Responsible Interactions, Building Metabolisms, Microbial Environments and Living Construction.

Past experience in conducting qualitative research in a biotechnology, industry or emerging technology context is essential, as is knowledge of social science studies exploring Responsible (Research and) Innovation. The person appointed will have the opportunity to use their initiative and creativity to identify areas for research, develop research methods and extend their research portfolio.

The post is full-time and fixed-term from October 2021 - March 2023.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Carmen McLeod, [email protected]  or Prof. Martyn Dade Robertson [email protected] . Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

For more information about the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, see our website: www.bbe.ac.uk .