The School of Natural and Built Environment in conjunction with the Queen's Business School are seeking to hire two Research Assistants to work on the €20/£17.3m multi-partner, all-island geothermal energy demonstration project GEMINI supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
The PEACEPLUS programme is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.
The role
The Research Assistants will undertake research tasks during the project with the support of the project’s coinvestigators based at Queen’s University Belfast and the network of project partners.
The momentum sustaining work may include community group and stakeholder engagement, attending geoenergy policy events, demonstration projects, start-ups, or exploring novel technology awareness, readiness and use.
The posts are fixed-term for 45 months, starting 1st January 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter) with the possibility of an extension to 48 months, subject to funder’s agreement.
A key component of the posts is to support and build geoenergy networks and undertake field behavioural research on the geoenergy transition across the island of Ireland. The positions will require travelling to the four R&D project areas, the surrounding local communities and managing multiple tasks across each of the locations.
About the person
Successful candidates need to:
- Hold a degree in engineering, business and/or management studies or similar, with experience of publishing academic work.
- Demonstrate excellent knowledge of the geoenergy transition as well as an understanding of relevant issues in the sector.
- Demonstrate prior experience of conducting independent research projects, report writing and a strong understanding of research methods, both survey and qualitative data fieldwork collection, analysis and reporting.
- Demonstrate experience of geoenergy vision-and-mission building activities to include hosting workshops, webinars, round tables and one-on-one briefings, which will focus on informing communities and decision-makers about what geothermal energy can be.
- Ensure social engagement and acceptance of the R&D projects, building models and momentum so that geoenergy in use can continue to connect, grow and develop.
- It is strongly desirable but not essential, that candidates have a PhD, along with research experience of engaging with relevant stakeholders and networks in the geoenergy sector.
To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information.
Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.
What we offer
Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health.
Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.
