Research Associate -Tidal Lagoon Challenge

Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 46,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading university in Wales is seeking an enthusiastic Research Associate for the Tidal Lagoon Challenge project to examine renewable energy financing and regulations. This part-time role (21 hours a week) is set for 7 months, with a salary range of £40,497 - £45,413 annually pro-rata. The successful candidate will contribute to high-quality research and may work flexibly from home or campus.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to publish in national/international journals.
• Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding applications.
• Ability to supervise the work of others.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research for Tidal Lagoon Challenge project.
• Contribute to research performance by publishing outputs.
• Prepare research ethics and governance applications.

Skills

Research expertise in renewable energy

Knowledge of financing and regulatory environments

Effective communication

Education

Postgraduate degree at PhD level or nearing completion

Job description

Advert

Research Associate – Tidal Lagoon Challenge

Welsh Economy Research Unit

Cardiff Business School

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic Research Associate to support the Tidal Lagoon Challenge project funded by the Welsh Economy Research Unit, examining the financing and regulatory environment around renewable energy projects.

The successful applicant will conduct research, contributing to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research.

This role is eligible to be offered on a blended working basis, meaning that as well as spending time working on campus you may spend some time working from another location, e.g. your home. The University is committed to offering this flexibility, wherever the role and business need allows, supporting work-life balance.

Please contact Professor Max Munday [e-mail] , Cardiff Business School, or Professor Reza Ahmadian [e-mail] , School of Engineering, Cardiff University, for further information.

The role is part-time (21 hours per week, 0.6fte) and offered on a fixed term basis for a period of 7 months.

Salary: £40,497 - £45,413 per annum, pro-rata (Grade 6).

Date advert posted: Friday, 1 August 2025

Closing date: Friday, 29 August 2025

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

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

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

Job Description

Main function

To conduct research within the Welsh Economy Research Unit in connection with a Tidal Lagoon Challenge project examining the financing and regulatory environment around renewable energy projects. You will also contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research

• To conduct research to support the Tidal Lagoon Challenge project being undertaken by the Welsh Economy Research Unit of Cardiff Business School.
• To contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including publishing in national academic journals and conferences.
• To develop research material to support the Welsh Economy Research Unit on it Tidal lagoon Challenge project.
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field of financing and regulatory environments around renewable energy projects.
• To participate in School research activities.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects
  
  

Other

• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.
  
  

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

• Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Experience

• An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
  
  

i. Renewable energy generation

ii. Financing and regulatory environment around renewables electricity generation

iii. Local economic development

• Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field.
• Proven ability to publish in national/international journals.
• Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding applications.
  
  

Communication and Team Working

• Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication
• Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals
  
  

Other

• Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work
• Proven ability to work without close supervision
  
  

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of collaborations with industry.
• Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
• Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School
  
  

Additional Information

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES

It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criterion as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (20432BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.

Cardiff Business School

Cardiff Business School is a leading business and management school in the UK, holding AACSB and AMBA accreditations and ranked 1st for its Research Environment and 2nd on Research Power (REF2021). The School has a Public Value purpose and focuses on the co-creation of high quality, interdisciplinary education and knowledge that delivers economic, social and environmental value. The School’s activities are oriented towards five Grand Challenges: Decent work , fair and sustainable economies , future organisations , good governance , and responsible innovation .

Salary Range Min.

40,497

Salary Range Max.

45,413

Job Category

Academic - Research

Grade

Grade 6