Research Associate in Equitable Energy Systems

The role

This is an opportunity to work within the ambitious and impactful SHINE project, bringing together an international, transdisciplinary team to understand and improve the design of energy systems to have a positive impact on well-being and inclusion in The Gambia and Ghana. Working with academic institutions, internationally recognised organisations, and government ministries in Ghana, The Gambia, South Africa, Nepal and Brazil, the project will research and develop design methodologies and pilot energy interventions that seek to drive an inclusive energy transition.

The role holder will closely collaborate with the international partners to implement pilot energy systems in The Gambia and Ghana, which will include overseas fieldwork. The role holder will follow a mixed-method approach, collecting and examining predominantly qualitative data (including but not limited to interviews, focus groups, participatory mapping) from the pilot energy systems. In addition, they will be integral in designing and refining the holistic SHINE framework incorporating data from the pilot energy systems.

They will work closely with the broader SHINE team to understand the implications of the data and develop methods to further understand the linkages between energy systems and well-being.

You will have a strong background in qualitative social science, ideally within the energy access sector, with the ability to conduct participatory methods as well as code, analyse and draw out key themes from interviews, focus groups, and transect walks that can be used to inform energy system design and future policy. You will also be able to analyse quantitative data, with the ability to use programmes like SPSS, MATLAB, REDCap and Microsoft Excel to draw out statistical measures.

You should have experience working with international, transdisciplinary teams, so you must be able to communicate clearly, effectively, and respectfully across cultures, languages and disciplines. You will need to support the project administration, including developing ethical applications and ensuring that the project adheres to relevant University of Bristol requirements for research studies as well as necessary reporting. You will likely need travel as part of this post, with visits to the partners in The Gambia and Ghana to collaborate on the pilot studies.

Previous international travel experience is advantageous.

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Contract type:
Open-ended with fixed funding (01/01/2027 to 31/12/2027)

Work pattern:
Full-time

Grade: I/pathway 2

Salary: £40,704 - £45,641 per annum

School/Unit:
School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Wednesday 4th November 2026

The interviews will take place shortly after the closing date

For informal queries please contact:
Dr Charlotte Ray:  or Dr Sam Williamson:

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