Research Fellow for the Centre of Net Zero High Density Buildings at Edinburgh Napier University

Edinburgh Napier University is seeking to appoint a full-time Research Fellow to support in EDI, skills and education for the Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings (CeNZ-HighDB). An initiative that aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions from densely packed buildings in UK cities funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings aim is to investigate how to make buildings in heavily populated areas more energy efficient to reduce carbon emissions, lower heating bills, and bring eco-friendly construction products to the market.

The newly formed centre will work in partnership with the UK construction industry, product manufacturers, energy companies, public bodies, housing organisations, communities and colleges to accelerate societal critical green economy pilot and prototype projects.

Specifically, Edinburgh Napier University’s role will include leading on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and skills, as well as contributing its expertise on offsite modern methods of construction and timber to develop sustainable built environment solutions.

Further information about the Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings can be found here and Centre to accelerate net-zero buildings for cities | The University of Edinburgh

The Role

This strategic research position will play a pivotal role in working with employers, regional skills academies and colleges to accelerate future deployment of innovative product and technology solutions co-developed with industry partners by the CeNZ-HighDB. The Centre’s partner networks will provide established pathways to roll out the new skills training courses developed accelerating green economy growth across the UK.

The Research Fellow will work closely with the CeNZ-HighDB project team from across the partner Universities (University of Edinburgh, University of Strathclyde, University of Glasgow and the University of West of Scotland) and Built Environment – Smarter Transformation and engage with the industry and external partners to undertake the necessary research and development activities to establish net zero carbon skills pathways and educational content provision for sustainable built environment delivery.

The underpinning work of the Research Fellow will play an important role in accelerating future upskilling and job outcomes acting as a key link person with major regional and national skills organisations and networks enabling net zero built environment and green economy outcomes.

For a detailed role description, please click here. Informal inquiries can be made to Professor Robert Hairstans r.hairstans@napier.ac.uk

Who we are looking for

• A Masters in areas related to construction or the built environment field
• Proven experience of working in advice, guidance and developing of skills in a construction, built environment or engineering context, and EDI support.
• Research and publication skills
• Current knowledge and understanding of policy and strategy in further and higher education, training, skills and employability.
• Proven experience in operational planning with organisation, EDI and ethic skills to ensure successful development and delivery of educational programmes and services.
• A passion about truly influencing the future of eco-friendly construction.
• Awareness and understanding of sustainability / net zero goals and how they relate to the built environment sector.
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work in a team as well as independently with a high degree of initiative.
• Ability to contribute to new ideas.