Climate Evidence Unit Senior Research Consultant

We have an exciting opportunity to work with our world-leading climate-related researchers as part of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures. The Priestley Centre is the University of Leeds’ cross-institutional climate research, innovation and learning centre. From local to global, we ensure that climate action is informed by the latest research, collaborating with organisations and individuals to transform our expertise into real-world impact. 

Following a successful pilot, the Priestley Centre is forming an expanded Climate Evidence Unit (CEU) to provide independent, robust and timely evidence aimed at supporting and challenging decision makers in their efforts to advance rapid decarbonisation of societies and build climate resilience. The CEU is delivering both policy-facing outputs and events, and externally-funded contract work for public, private and third sector organisations, providing the functions of both a policy unit and a business unit. In doing so, the CEU draws on University of Leeds research and expertise to produce targeted and publicly available outputs in the form of rapid evidence reviews, policy analysis, scenario modelling, specialised reports and briefings that fulfil policy needs (policy unit). Alongside this, the CEU is also bidding for and delivering externally-commissioned and contracted work such as evidence synthesis reports, peer-review of products and services, expert advice, consultancy and contract research (business unit).

As part of our expansion of the Climate Evidence Unit, the Priestley Centre is recruiting a Senior Research Consultant. The successful applicant will work with the Priestley Centre community and external organisations to translate existing research into evidence, projects and outputs that maximise climate ambition and action by supporting public and private sector decision making nationally and internationally. Reporting to the Priestley Centre’s Deputy Directors for Policy and Innovation, you will leverage academic expertise from a range of disciplines to develop and deliver bespoke outputs and contracted projects.

This is an ongoing role but subject to a stage gate review of the Priestly Centre at the end of the 27/28 Financial year

Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information please visit: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information please visit: www.gov.uk/global-talent.

What we offer in return

• 26 days holiday plus approx. 16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance– the University contributes 14.5% of salary.
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!

If you are looking for a role that will translate research to maximise climate ambition and action, apply today.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

John Barrett, Director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures Climate Evidence Unit

Email: j.r.barrett@leeds.ac.uk

Chelsea Boothroyd, Deputy Director for Innovation, Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

Email: c.boothroyd@leeds.ac.uk

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