Postdoctoral Research Associate in CO2 MRV and Carbon Accounting, and non-stipendiary Junior Research Fellow of Linacre College

Fixed term until 18 July 2026 

This PDRA will be working within an integrated programme of research on the economical, policy, and regulatory frameworks of aviation fuel emissions balanced by permanent geological CO₂ storage. The project, based in the School of Geography and Environment (see below for details), will assess the feasibility and potential impact of geologically balanced fuels (GBFs) as a complementary strategy to emissions reductions or more conventional Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for net zero aviation. A GBF is defined as a conventional aviation fuel whose carbon dioxide emissions are compensated for by an equivalent quantity of carbon dioxide (CO₂) being captured and permanently stored in geological formations. The goal would be to develop policies and reporting standards which support gradually increasing the fraction of emissions captured and stored over time through cooperation between the aviation sector and their fuel suppliers. GBFs serve as a complement to emissions reduction efforts and could reduce the risk of relying too heavily on SAFs (which may prove extremely costly) or offset credits such as CORSIA Eligible Emission Units (whose effectiveness continue to be strongly questioned) for achieving net zero aviation. 

Whilst this PDRA role will be within a work package on social license, environmental regulation, and carbon accounting, the successful candidate will also be working with several other PDRAs within this project. The other parts of the project will be focusing on a financial analysis of GBFs, and the policy and business models. The postholder will work with the team to create an integrated environmental, policy, social, and economical assessment of the feasibility of GBFs. 

The role also includes a non-stipendiary Junior Research Fellowship at Linacre College (see below) and the postholder will hold the Fellowship under the terms of the College Statutes and By-Laws in force at any time during the appointment.   

About you

• You will hold, or be close to completion of, a PhD/DPhil in a relevant field, together with relevant experience.
• You will possess specialist knowledge of environmental regulation, preferably MRV frameworks for carbon dioxide removal (CDR), have an understanding also to how carbon accounting frameworks are implemented and have the ability to develop strong and trusted relationships with stakeholders.
• You will be a self-starter, be able to work independently and you must have the ability to manage your own academic research and associated activities. You will have excellent communication skills including a track record of contributing to publications and presentations and an ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation.

For further details of the role please see the job description. The post is available to start as soon as possible.

This role is one of three PDRA positions being recruited to form a cohort of researchers on Net Zero Aviation as part of this joint project across Earth Sciences and the School of Geography and the Environment. 

The deadline for applications is midday on 22 August 2024. Interviews will be held mid-September 2024. 

You will be required to upload a CV and a Supporting Statement as part of your application. Please do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark sheets or certificates as these will not be considered as part of your application. 

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and ethnic minority candidates, who are under-represented in research posts in the Department.

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