Postdoc in Building Stock Modelling

International Society for Industrial Ecology; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in environmental research is seeking a Research Assistant/Associate for the BuildZero project, focused on transformative research aimed at achieving zero carbon and waste in the UK building sector. The successful candidate will develop modeling tools, contribute to significant climate change initiatives, and work for one and a half years with possibilities for extension. Applicants must hold (or be close to obtaining) a PhD in Engineering or a similar field and possess strong analytical and modeling skills.

Qualifications

• PhD (or close to obtaining) required.
• Experience in modelling and analytical skills beneficial.
• Ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop new modelling tools for assessing UK building stock.
• Identify pathways for material circularity and climate change mitigation.
• Collaborate closely with researchers across multiple universities.

Skills

Modelling skills

Analytical skills

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD in Engineering or relevant technical field

Tools

Tools of Industrial Ecology

Job description

One Research Assistant/Associate position is available as part of the BuildZero project (https://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/news/study-explore-if-circular-economy-can-meet-needs-uks-buildings).

BuildZero is a five-year project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UKRI) and will undertake transformative research on the UK’s building sector, aiming to work towards zero material extraction, zero carbon, and zero waste. The UK has one of the oldest and least efficient building stocks. Yet, little is known about the existing building stock and what interventions will be required to provide our future building needs while meeting our climate targets.

The successful candidate will develop new modelling tools and approaches to characterise the existing building stock in the UK. This should combine a physical characterisation of buildings, including material composition and retrofit requirements, with their patterns of use and energy performance. These modelling approaches should enable the identification of pathways for material circularity and climate change mitigation for UK buildings. By the end of the project, the role-holder will have identified and prioritised key interventions in the UK building sector and its supply chain that lead to a faster reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and material demand.

We seek to appoint one candidate with a PhD (or close to obtain) in Engineering or other relevant technical field, and who are motivated to contribute to the impact of the BuildZero research output on climate change mitigation and material circularity. Modelling and analytical skills, and experience working with tools of Industrial Ecology will be beneficial. The candidates should be able to work effectively in interdisciplinary environments, and both with industrial and academic partners.

The successful candidate will be working directly with Dr André Cabrera Serrenho and Prof Jonathan Cullen, and will be based in the Department of Engineering of the University of Cambridge. They will participate fully in the activities of BuildZero. This will imply a close collaboration with all other researchers in this project in the Universities of Sheffield, Bath, Cardiff, and Manchester.

This post is full-time and is being offered for one and a half years in the first instance, but with a possibility of extension until the end of the five-year BuildZero project. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, which is expected to take place in August 2025. Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

Informal enquires about this post can be made to Dr André Cabrera Serrenho ([e-mail]).

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