We seek applicants for a Research Associate to work on a project on ‘Contemporary crises and net zero transitions: Ukraine, COVID, and energy’, funded by the University of Manchester Research Institute. The project starts in September 2022 and will provisionally end in July 2023. The successful applicant will join an international research team involving researchers from the Manchester, Melbourne University, and the University of Toronto, led by Matthew Paterson and will be based in the Sustainable Consumption Institute at the University of Manchester.
The project explores the question: How are the contemporary crises of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the character of post-COVID recoveries affecting the pursuit of ambitious climate policy towards ‘net zero emissions’?
Both of these crises have combined to generate a sharp increase in energy prices, particularly regarding natural gas, and a related increase in the insecurity of supply. These have already had highly destabilizing effects in terms of social inequalities, state legitimacy, geopolitics, the continued rise of populism, and governments’ economic strategies.
The implications of these crises are being felt at multiple scales (local, municipal, regional, national, and global) and by multiple actors (households, consumers, workers, businesses, farmers, governments). It is also being experienced in diverse ways, from ‘cost of living’ crises, through supply chain disruption, to opportunities for expanded fossil fuel exports. Different actors are also seeking to use these crises to shape voting behaviour and policy outcomes to suit their interests. These implications have important consequences not only for the ambition and strategy for pursuing net zero, but also on the distributive effects of those strategies and the possibilities of a ‘just transition’.
The Research Associate will carry out a series of research tasks to build an evidence base to be used by the broader research team. The PI will supervise the Associate's research will, guided by regular meetings of the research team. The work will involve collecting a range of data, in particular focused on:
The Research Associate post will last for 9 months from 1st November 2022 in the first instance with a chance to extend the duration to 10 months.
Interviews will be held on the 12th October 2022 (candidates will hear by 7th October whether they are invited to an interview).
As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.
Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here
Blended working arrangements may be considered
Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.
Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:
Name: Matthew Paterson
Email: matthew.paterson@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries:
Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk
Technical support:
https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home
This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.
Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.
