Postdoctoral Research Associate

School of Geo Sciences / CSE

Full time: 35 hours per week

Fixed term contract: until 12 February 2030

Shape what happens next. Be part of something bigger. Here, you can continue to make a difference in everything around you. Take on new challenges, grow your career, be recognised for your contributions, and benefit from our commitment to your wellbeing. Be part of something bigger — where your work has real impact and your development matters. There are so many reasons to take your next step with us.

The University of Edinburgh is a world‑class organisation. We look for the best in the field across all disciplines and provide a working environment where researchers can develop their careers and passion for their chosen subject area.

We seek a postdoctoral research associate (PDRA) to undertake climate and air pollution related research within two large multi‑institutional UKRI funded hubs: "Indoor HABItability during the Transition to Net Zero Housing Hub: INHABIT and HEARTH:
National Hub on Net Zero, Health and Extreme Heat" which aim to produce scientific evidence and policy‑relevant solutions to realise the health co‑benefits of the UK’s net zero transition. The research will utilise street‑scale process‑based modelling and statistical analysis methods applicable to large climate datasets, to quantify ambient environmental exposures.

The PDRA will focus on two related strands of research focusing on air pollution and climate change:
You will perform simulations of outdoor air quality, within an outdoor‑indoor air quality exposure and health modelling framework, using the ADMS‑Urban model. This research will develop emissions scenarios for model simulations that consider future emission pathways and sector‑based interventions that utilise the UK NAEI emissions inventory and/or regional action plans. You will also examine heat and related co‑occurring climate extremes (such as outdoor air quality, wildfires, drought, flooding), and their impacts through analysis of regional long‑term weather and climate model projections datasets (e.g. UKCP
18, EURO‑CORDEX). You will co‑develop an indoor heat‑health warning system for different settings (such as homes, care homes, hospitals, prisons) and co‑produce a set of indicators and metrics to measure impacts and quantify the health co‑benefits of net zero interventions. You will gain exposure of interdisciplinary working across natural and built environments and in health sciences within a large hub team and benefit from hub career development opportunities.

Our people are at the centre of the University community and everything we do. We value colleagues with drive, determination and a passion for what they do.

A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle:

• Professional development and subject matter expertise
• Opportunities to develop new skills and broaden your experience
• Leading‑edge research
• Opportunities for publication
• Working within one of the world’s leading universities

This post is full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering part‑time or flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non‑contractual basis) that combines a mix of regular on‑campus and remote working.