Research Assistant/Postdoctoral Research Associate in Energy Transition and Finance

Work closely with academic, industry and public-sector partners across the SOLIS consortium to coordinate research activities and deliver project milestones.

Lead and contribute to stakeholder interviews, participatory workshops and other engagement activities, and represent the SOLIS consortium at relevant events.

Assist with the supervision of student project work and provide day-to-day research support where appropriate.

Contribute to teaching activities as required.

Contribute to funding proposals and grant applications to secure follow-on research funding.

Undertake other duties reasonably requested by project leaders, commensurate with the nature and grade of the post.

Qualifications: A PhD (awarded or near completion) in Sustainable Finance, Energy Economics, Business/Management, Energy Policy, Sustainability Transitions, or a closely related discipline.

Relevant Research Expertise: A strong research background in one or more of the following areas: sustainable finance and infrastructure investment; energy economics and finance; energy business models, innovation and commercialisation; energy policy and governance; systems thinking; or sustainability transitions.

Research Methods: Demonstrate experience in designing and conducting rigorous qualitative and quantitative research, including the collection and analysis of primary and secondary data.

Track Record: Evidence of high-quality publications commensurate with career stage, alongside policy- or practitioner-facing outputs.

Communication & Engagement: Excellent written, oral and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex research effectively to academic and non-academic audiences and to engage confidently with a wide range of stakeholders.

Initiative & Leadership: Evidence of initiative and leadership potential, with the ability to take ownership of research activities, coordinate work involving multiple stakeholders, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work to agreed timescales.

Independent & Collaborative Working: Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within a diverse interdisciplinary team and to build effective working relationships with academic, industrial and public-sector partners.

Energy-Sector Experience: Research or professional experience relating to energy systems, heat decarbonisation, energy storage, or district heating.

Systems & Value-Chain Approaches: Familiarity with systems-thinking, systems mapping, supply- or value-chain analysis, transition analysis, scenario analysis or related whole-systems approaches.

UK Energy Landscape: Knowledge of the UK policy, regulatory and funding landscape for energy infrastructure.

External Stakeholder Experience: Experience engaging with local authorities, utilities, or industry/finance partners.

At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.