Research and Innovation Associate

Postdoctoral Research Associate

The EPSRC-funded SMART-H (SMART-Health-care facilities towards resilient, green, and
sustainable medical systems) project addresses climate-driven risks in Malawi, creating a roadmap to respond to disasters and health crises in medical facilities. The project focuses on three key strategies:

• Strengthening building resilience to ensure operational continuity during emergencies.
• Implementing green engineering solutions to reduce emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and improve indoor thermal performance.
• Promoting sustainable approaches to deliver high-quality, accessible care while reducing costs and improving affordability.

We are seeking a candidate with a PhD (or near completion) in disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, aiming to develop an informed decision-support system (DSS) for mitigating the impacts of natural hazards such as earthquakes and floods, as well as addressing physical and energy vulnerabilities. 

Applicants should demonstrate proven expertise in:

• Disaster risk assessment and the impacts of climate change, considering the interaction among multi-hazards (e.g., floods and earthquakes), vulnerability, and exposure.
• Numerical modelling and cost-benefit analyses of risk scenarios and mitigation strategies for enhancing adaptation to climate change and reducing risks.
• Disaster risk management and decision-support systems (DSS).
• Life cycle assessments and sustainability.

The successful candidate will work with Dr. Viviana Iris Novelli and the RESCOM team at Cardiff University, joining a vibrant community of researchers and PhD students. As a Research and Innovation Associate, you will have access to cutting-edge facilities and resources from other schools across the university.

The role requires a willingness to travel to Malawi for field investigations and local workshops aimed at increasing awareness of disaster risk management and engaging with local stakeholders. Beyond technical research, this position offers opportunities to develop a wide range of skills, including digital and networking capabilities, public speaking, and creative communication. You will contribute to producing project outputs and disseminating them to the wider public, ensuring your work has a meaningful impact.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 1 April 2025 and is fixed term for 9 months or until 31 August 2026, whichever date is earliest.

Salary: £40,247 to £45,163 per annum (Grade 6). We do not anticipate appointing this position above point 6.32 salary, £40,247 per annum. 

For informal enquiries about the post please contact Dr Viviana Novelli at Novelliv@cardiff.ac.uk
For further details about working at Cardiff School of Engineering please contact Karen Baldwin/Chiara Riolo /Bev Jones at Enginadmin@cardiff.ac.uk

Closing date: Friday, 21 February 2025

Interviews will take place mid March.

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

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

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

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