Research Associate for INHABIT - School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences - 106257 - Gr

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Birmingham seeks a Research Associate to support the INHABIT hub, focusing on indoor air quality and health impacts during energy retrofitting. The role involves data collection, statistical analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Ideal candidates will have a degree in a relevant field and practical experience with environmental sensors. This full-time fixed term role offers a salary ranging from £33,002 to £35,608, with potential progression.

Qualifications

• First degree in a relevant subject area.
• Strong skills in engaging with human participants.
• Experience in applying relevant skills in practical settings.

Responsibilities

• Plan and install indoor air quality sensor packages.
• Conduct routine checks and troubleshooting.
• Support data analysis and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Practical experience of applying relevant skills

Engaging with human participants

Data analysis and communication

Local authority engagement

Education

First degree in relevant subject area

Tools

Environmental sensors

Job description

Job Description

Position Details

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £33,002 to £35,608 with potential progression once in post to £39,906

Grade: 6

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to September 2028

Closing date: 21st September 2025

UK travel may be required for this role

Background

We are recruiting a research associate to assist in research (by carrying out data collection or analyses) to create knowledge through providing research support for INHABIT hub.

The UKRI-NIHR INHABIT: "Indoor HABItability during the Transition to Net Zero Housing Hub" is a £7.3 million research hub with an overall aim of producing scientific evidence and policy-relevant solutions to realise the health co-benefits of the UK's net zero transition in housing. To this aim, INHABIT is bringing together key stakeholder groups including:

• Scientists from a range of disciplines (including social science, climate, air quality, health and economics) from the 11 institutions
• 14 Regional, local and national government representatives
• 6 governmental-associated entities
• 4 housing associations
• 4 industrial partners
• 4 NGOs

INHABIT is a transdisciplinary collaboration network involving 32 investigators and 28 stakeholders and a team of postdoctoral research and knowledge exchange fellows.

A major part of the INHABIT hub is to understand how indoor environment and health of residents change during energy retrofitting to decarbonise the housing sector. The post-older will support the sensor deployment as well as health surveys. The post holder may also be asked to support the observations for the air quality supersite.

Role Summary

• Work within the INHABT project, conducting planning, deployment, regular maintenance and quality control of the indoor air quality sensor network and surveys.
• Apply statistical methods to quantify retrofit impacts on indoor environment quality and health.
• Contribute to community and stakeholder engagement, publications, briefing notes, and open data/code releases.
• Liaise with retrofit partners, residents, and INHABIT members to ensure seamless data integrity and timely delivery of Hub milestones.

Main Duties

Field observations & data management

• Plan and install low-cost indoor air quality (IAQ) sensor packages in study homes, following pre-registered protocols.
• Conduct routine checks, remote troubleshooting and on-site servicing.
• Implement weekly QC and deal with emerging issues, such as replacing sensors.
• Support and/or carry out surveys in homes recruited for the INHABIT.
• Support / carry out observations using the air quality supersite.

Data analysis & modelling & presentation

• Clean and integrate research datasets (e.g., sensors, surveys, smart meters).
• Perform initial data analyses and develop predictive models or techniques as required.
• Present and interpret research outputs for diverse audiences, including drafting policy briefs, academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters.

Dissemination & stakeholder engagement

• Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with research.
• Present findings at Hub meetings, local-authority workshops and public-engagement events.
• Contribute to capacity-building activities (e.g., training PPIE groups in sensor use).

General duties

• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
• Assist with ethics/data-sharing documentation.
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture in line with university policies.

Person Specification

• A first degree or equivalent in relevant subject area
• Practical experience of applying the relevant skills and techniques, such as environmental sensors
• Experience and strong skills in engaging with human participants of the INHABIT project
• Experience in engaging with local authorities is desirable
• Ability to analyse information and communicate effectively
• Ability to access and organise resources successfully
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries to Zongbo Shi, email: [e-mail]

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.