Senior Research Associate: JUST Centre - 0458-25

Lancaster University; Lancaster; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in Lancaster is seeking a Senior Research Associate for a role within the JUST Centre. The position focuses on place-based research and coordinating democratic innovations related to climate transition. Applicants with experience in local government policies and community participation are encouraged to apply. This role offers flexible working options and is part of a vibrant research community. Join us to help shape sustainable futures.

Benefits

Various employee benefits

Support for work-life balance

Qualifications

• Experience in democratic innovation or public participation.
• Experience in local government decision-making on climate change.
• Experience with participatory action research in Northern England.

Responsibilities

• Conduct place-based case-study research in West Cumbria.
• Coordinate work on democratic innovations across Northern England.

Skills

Democratic innovation

Local government policy

Participatory action research

Job description

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Senior Research Associate: JUST Centre - 0458-25, Lancaster

Client:

Lancaster University

Location:

Lancaster, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Reference:

8010891710e0

Job Views:

3

Posted:

12.08.2025

Expiry Date:

26.09.2025

Job Description:

Reference: 0458-25

Overview of the role

Lancaster University is seeking to appoint a Senior Research Associate within the Joined-Up Sustainability Transformations (JUST) Centre. This is a full or part-time position funded for three years (assuming full-time, longer if part-time). The start date is expected by September 2025.

The JUST Centre brings together Lancaster, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, and Newcastle universities to advance understanding of a just climate transition through research and action across society. The successful candidate will focus on two main areas:

1. Place-based case-study research in West Cumbria on "what works, where, and why (and for whom)" to facilitate a just transition to low-carbon living.
2. Coordinating work across Northern England on democratic innovations, a key theme of the JUST Centre.

About you

A PhD is not mandatory. We welcome applicants with experience in:

• Democratic innovation and/or public participation
• Local government policy and decision-making on climate change and net zero
• Participatory action research with communities in Northern England or on justice and sustainability issues

JUST values justice and intersectional approaches to addressing inequality. We seek to reflect these principles in our team and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including those historically excluded from research institutions. Part-time applications are also welcome.

Why work with us

You will be based at Lancaster University, joining a vibrant research community specializing in energy and climate governance. You will also be part of the Lancaster Environment Centre and collaborate with researchers across Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle universities, as well as the Young Foundation (impact partner).

Lancaster is a research-intensive university, with 99% of its research environment rated as 4* 'world leading' or 3* 'internationally excellent' in REF 2021. The university supports work-life balance and offers various employee benefits. Learn more about life at Lancaster on our website.