Research Associate in Social and Environmental Impacts of Mining

About the role:

A Research Associate (RA) position is available at the Centre for Environmental Policy (CEP) as part of the Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials (RTCFM). This $150M, 10-year, multidisciplinary, global effort intends to deliver a step-change in the approach to materials extraction, use and reuse, in a way that is more environmentally, economically and socially sustainable in support of the Energy Transition. The Centre is hosted by Imperial College London and brings together Imperial, four global university partners (The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, The University of California, Berkeley, The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, The Australian National University (ANU), Canberra) and Rio Tinto.

You will lead a work component assessing our current understanding of the societal, household, health, biodiversity and environmental outcomes associated with mining. Together with collaborators at The ANU and Witwatersrand you will develop and carry out a review covering one or more outcomes. These reviews will set out our understanding, and current knowledge gaps and as such will subsequently inform potential future research projects for the RTCFM to deliver in the coming years.

There is a second RA role as part of the RTCFM being advertised concurrently. If qualified for both, please submit separate applications.

What you would be doing:

You will carry out one or more rapid evidence assessments, or other similar approach to reviewing the current literature, on one or more societal, household, health, biodiversity or environmental outcomes. You will be expected to engage with recent literature, co-develop review protocols, lead the review and subsequent reporting the funders and submission of publication(s) to the peer-reviewed journals. There is also the potential to contribute to other reviews being led by collaborators within Imperial and across other member institutions of the RTCFM.

There will be opportunities to attend project meetings, potentially involving international travel. Close collaboration with international project partners is essential.

What we are looking for:

• PhD holder in any aspect of sustainability (environmental, societal, environmental) or related disciplines
• Experience of working across multiple disciplines, particularly between the natural and social sciences
• Experience working with industrial partners and/or research sponsors
• Expertise in developing and applying rapid evidence assessments or similar review methods, particularly those integrating multiple disciplines.
• Background knowledge relating to the mining, materials or resource extraction industries would be helpful

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to be part of an international network of researchers collaborating on some of the grand social and environmental challenges facing mining and materials in the coming years
• Career advancement at a world-leading institution
• A sector-leading salary and benefits package
• Dynamic multidisciplinary research work environment.
• Potential opportunities for international conferences, meetings, and network development.

Further Information

Candidates who have not yet officially been awarded their PhD will be appointed initially at Research Assistant (with a salary range of £41,694 to £44,888).

Interviews will be held in the last week of January 2025.

Starting date: 3^rd March 2025, or as soon as possible, subject to specific checks and UK visa application processing times. The position is available for up to 10 months.

If you require any further details on the role please contact: Prof Martin Dallimer - m.dallimer@imperial.ac.uk

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