Innovation Fellow (Sustainable Finance and Circular Economy)

This full-time post is available from 1 April 2025 until 31 July 2028 (with a possibility to start earlier) and is one of six innovation fellows in the Centre, which brings together geology, minerals processing and mining with circular economy, finance, ecology, social sciences, and policy.

The post
The Faculty wishes to recruit an Innovation Fellow (a Postdoctoral Research Fellow carrying out applied research) in Sustainable Finance and Circular Economy in the Business School /Camborne School of Mines/ Humanities and Social Sciences, Cornwall to participate in a new UKRI-funded ‘Critical Minerals Accelerating the Green Economy Centre’. This new Centre is co-created and co-funded with industry, government and NGO partners. It will carry out transdisciplinary research to accelerate the start of responsible and sustainable production of critical minerals (lithium, tin, tungsten) in SW England. It will also carry out research with partners working on critical minerals worldwide.

About you
The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events. They will be a post-doctoral researcher who is enthusiastic about applied research co-created and carried out in direct collaboration with industry, local government and NGO partners. They will be keen to work in a team with colleagues from a wide range of disciplines and sufficiently versatile to work on a range of projects in the Centre. Previous experience of research or professional work with colleagues outside of academia is expected.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in sustainable finance or circular economy, and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required. Applicants will be able to undertake research as appropriate to the field of study, work effectively in collaboration with colleagues, routinely communicate complex and conceptual ideas (orally, in writing and electronically), and to co-ordinate and implement research programme activity as determined by the nature of the project and at the direction of the project leads.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button) for full details of this role.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research.
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly.
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development.
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career.
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy.
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon and Cornwall.

Further information

For further information contact Prof. Chendi Zhang or Prof. Fiona Charnley, e-mail C.Zhang@exeter.ac.uk or F.Charnley@exeter.ac.uk.

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

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