Research Associate (Knowledge Transfer Partnership)

We are looking for a Research Associate to join the Knowledge Transfer Partnership team between Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and Cardiff University.

Project summary

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW), the 4th largest company in Wales, provides water and wastewater services to 3 million. As a water utility with a unique non- profit business model, all benefits are re-invested to deliver safe and affordable water while safeguarding freshwater environments. However, in aggregate, inappropriate customer behaviours such as blocking sewers with wet wipes, overusing water during droughts or dumping pesticides near drinking water abstraction points cost DCWW more than £25m per year.

A top priority of the 2050 DCWW strategic plan is to reduce this significant cost. Savings can then be used to address failings linked to ageing assets and climate change that would otherwise require increased water bills. To achieve this, the KTP aims to change current customer behaviours and secure long-term customer buy-in, delivering over £5m in savings per year five years on.

The KTP will involves a novel custom-built customer engagement process that, for the first time, will help to transform the relationship between the utility and its customers, delivering a step-change in customer behaviour. The process involves i) a customer knowledge framework to decipher customer motivations and design relevant behaviour change interventions, and ii) an Intervention assessment toolkit to evaluate the impact of new interventions.

This role is eligible to be offered on a blended working basis, meaning that as well as spending time working on campus you may spend some time working from another location, e.g. your home. The University is committed to offering this flexibility, wherever the role and business need allows, supporting work-life balance.

This position is full-time, 35 hours per week and fixed term until 31st July 2027.

Salary: £40,274 - £45,163 per annum (Grade 6). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances

We can offer you the chance to work in a vibrant organisation, with great benefits and opportunities for progression. We are a proud Living Wage supporter. The successful applicant will join an energetic and well-funded research environment, which includes established investigators, post-doctoral fellows and PhD students.

Please contact Isabelle Durance (Durance@cardiff.ac.uk) for an informal, confidential discussion about the role.

Closing date: 6 February 2025

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

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