Research Assistant or Fellow in Global Hydrogen Energy Systems and Society

Fixed Term Contract for 24 months

Research Assistant (if close to completing PhD): £34,450 per annum

Research Fellow (if PhD obtained): £37,337 per annum

The social and environmental trade-offs of a new Net Zero Hydrogen (H2NZ) ecosystem need to be centre stage if we are to bring about a just energy transition. How do we ensure that we bring about these transitions responsibly, leaving no-one behind? How can governance strategies support the uptake of responsible H2NZ production in the UK and overseas?

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Global Hydrogen Production Technologies (HyPT) Center, working across the UK, Australia, US and Canada, to create a step change in the development of responsible hydrogen ecosystems and accelerate decarbonisation of energy systems globally. 

About the Role

HyPT seeks to accelerate the development of net zero hydrogen technologies and ecosystems in a sustainable and just manner. You will join the global HyPT center to support the work programme on policies, economics, and markets. As a social scientist or engineer with social science interests and experience, you will join a transdisciplinary team of world-leading experts on H2NZ and responsible energy transitions. The HyPT center offers Early Career Researchers a vibrant, supportive research ecosystem with opportunities to work across disciplines and cultures.

Your role will involve contributing to designing and assessing the effectiveness of alternative governance measures and strategies to accelerate the social acceptability and uptake of net zero hydrogen technologies and systems (H2NZ) and support a just energy transition. 

Using a socio-technical systems approach, you will create pathways for a receptive environment to H2NZ uptake. With a focus on four hydrogen niche case studies with our partner countries, you will work with multiple stakeholder groups to map drivers and challenges to H2NZ production at scale. You will evaluate incumbent governance regimes globally and support the team in establishing a set of adaptive governance principles, community engagement strategies, and policy frameworks with best practice recommendations considering the specific challenges and opportunities hydrogen production brings. It is very likely that the project will involve international travel to our partner countries.

About You

You will be educated to doctoral level (or close to completion) in political science, sociology or other social sciences, or law, and will have experience in working with diverse stakeholders, designing and implementing qualitative research methods, and analysing qualitative data.

PhDs from other disciplines, particularly energy, environment and engineering-related fields, will be considered if there is experience with governance systems and/or qualitative research methods and a clearly expressed desire to move into a career in socio-technical transitions.

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.

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, contact Professor Nazmiye Ozkan on (E): n.ozkan@cranfield.ac.uk.

To apply please click above 'Apply' Button" or contact us on E: peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk.

Closing date: 28 July 2024

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