Postdoctoral Research Associate

Grade UE07: £41,064 - £48,822 per annum, pro rata if part time
School of GeoSciences / CSE
Full time: 35 hours per week 
Fixed term contract: until 12 February 2030 

 
The Opportunity: 

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 NetZero 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. UKCP18, 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.  

View the full job description (opens in a new browser tab)  

How to apply 

Please include the following documents in your application: 

- CV (including list of publications) 

- Cover letter 

- Two references 

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:  

• A competitive salary.  
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.  
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community. 
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.  

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion 

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also a Stonewall Proud Employer, actively promoting LGBTQ+ equality.  

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab) 

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant. Please note if the role is offered on a part-time basis, it may result in sponsorship being dependent on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant or the role no longer meeting the Home Office’s criteria for sponsorship.

Key dates to note 

The closing date for applications is 17 September 2026.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.  

Interviews will be held mid-end October.