Research Fellow (Sustainable Consumption and Production) - (7480)

Fellowship Opportunity: Sustainable Consumption and Production in Circular Economy and Society

Sustainable Consumption and Production at Manchester Metropolitan: 

Ensuring sustainable consumption and production (SCP) patterns is one of the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite some progress, transition remains slow. The circular economy (CE) – with its principles of reducing waste and pollution, using resources more efficiently and regenerating natural capital – is often promoted as a more sustainable alternative to the traditional ‘linear' economy. With policy and financial support, numerous circular initiatives have emerged targeting materials/energy/economic efficiencies. And yet there remain gaps in our understanding about the broader environmental outcomes of CE initiatives. Moreover, the social implications of the CE are poorly understood, vaguely defined and often ignored, especially in relation to social equity and justice, human development and well-being, employment and other social imperatives. These challenges call for interdisciplinary investigation and transdisciplinary collaboration. 

MMU is independently and consistently judged as one of the most environmentally sustainable universities in the UK, achieving a top-3 placing every year for the last 10 years in the Universities People and Planet League. Interdisciplinary researchers in the Faculties of Business and Law and Science and Engineering at MMU have collaborated extensively with industry and community organisations on projects related to the Circular Economy. Transform CE, Reduces, Cirmap, ShaRepair and Eco-I North West are just some of the recent projects funded by the EU and ERDF to the value of over £25m. These – and other – projects have been led by members of the Waste 2 Resource Innovation Network, a research group that brings together specialist environmental researchers and business and management scholars to create new knowledge and support action from industrial and societal stakeholders.

About the role: 

• To undertake world-leading and internationally excellent research using latest and innovative methodologies, as relevant in your area of research. 

• To prepare, present and publish research outputs through the appropriate forums e.g. research workshops, conferences, seminars, exhibitions, portfolios, academic journals etc. 

• To develop ideas for generating income to ensure the continued success and growth of research portfolio.  

• To disseminate findings of research widely to further the institution's standing in the HE and research community and strengthen the impact of the research.

• To engage in scholarly activities conducive to a long-term successful academic career that will support and enhance the research culture within the Department/ School, Faculty and University.

About the candidate: 

You will be an ambitious researcher eager to develop your own body of work in the broad area of the Circular Economy and Society. With a PhD in either a science and engineering or business and management background, your interests will be in understanding better the environmental and/or social outcomes of circular economy initiatives. We particularly welcome applications from those with innovative ideas to address critical CE challenges such as the:

• conceptual dissonance and empirical tensions of circular economy and climate change;
• contribution and limitations of circular economy practices in reducing biodiversity loss/improving biodiversity protections;
• factors facilitating and hindering the scaling up of circular society initiatives; and
• extent to which circular economy can result in strong sustainability.

Requirements: 

• Doctoral level qualification in a related research area. 

• Possess breadth or depth of specialist knowledge and demonstrate potential for research independence.

• Excellent track record of relevant research outputs. 

• Significant research experience in the chosen field of research, which should include where appropriate: 
  • leading the work of a team, co-ordinating effort and resources to meet objectives 
  • developing partnerships within the University and with external agencies  
  • preparing funding proposals and applications to external bodies 
  • using initiative, creativity and judgement to develop appropriate approaches to research 
  • synthesising complex data from different sources and communicating findings via written reports and articles 
  • presenting at national and/or international research meetings 
  • supervising student work and providing appropriate support and feedback. 

• Experience of managing and monitoring performance of research projects in multi-disciplinary teams.

• Ability to manage projects involving academic institutions and funding bodies. 

Please refer to the Job Description & Person Specification for a full list of essential & desirable criteria. 

Academic Contact: Professor Paul Dewick (paul.dewick@mmu.ac.uk) to discuss the fellowship opportunity in detail. For more information about the Waste 2 Resources Innovation Network and the Research Fellowship, please contact the Professor Paul Hooper (p.d.hooper@mmu.ac.uk).

Application Process: 

To apply to the Fellowship, please provide the following documents: 

• Research Interest Statement (no more than two sides of A4, font size 11, 2 cms margin): Statement should include your long-term career aspirations, how your research till date and plans to develop and contribute towards your research interest in the future will impact the University's Research Strategy whilst working with an existing team of researchers.  

• Research Proposal (no more than four sides of A4, font size 11, 2 cm margins): Kindly provide a research proposal focused on a specific topic within the research faculty you are applying for. The proposal should be accompanied by a Gantt chart outlining a 3-year research timeline.  

• Curriculum Vitae (include details of your education, citizenship, publications, funding, employment history & names of referees) 

Please note that panels will not consider attachments that fall outside of the limits, where specified. 

We aim to offer up to a maximum of 15 fellow appointments, for which we will be assessing applicants competitively across the four faculties that are welcoming applications. 

Assessment Timelines: 

• The application window will be available for 8 weeks and will close on 29 May 2024
• Interviews will be held on-site in Manchester (where practical) in the w/c 17 and 24 June 2024
• We aim to make offers to successful candidates in the w/c 03 July 2024

Enquiries:  

If you haven't found your specific area of research, please click here to sign up to our job alerts. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on researchfellowships@mmu.ac.uk  

Manchester Met University is committed to creating an intentionally inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We understand the importance of having a diverse workforce and the benefits it can bring to ensuring diversity of thought and innovation in everything we do. We, therefore, encourage applications from our local and international communities, in particular people from ethnic minority groups, disabled people and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.    

We recognise the benefits and importance of an environment that supports flexible working and are open to conversations about this throughout the application process.  

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