Research Assistant/ Associate in Sustainable Business and Finance

Heriot-Watt University

  • Edinburgh Midlothian
  • Contract
  • Full-time
  • 5 hours ago
Job Category: ResearchDegree Level: Other Postgraduate quaifiication (including professional)Job Description:Role:Research Assistant/ Postdoctoral Research Associate in Sustainable Business and FinanceGrade and Salary: Grade 6 (£31,236 - £36,636) / Grade 7 (£37,694 - £47,389) per annumContract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term for 1.5 years (With potential to extend）Location: Edinburgh CampusRewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns, including part-time working and job share options.The Role:We are looking to appoint up to two exceptional researchers to join our UKRI Ayrton Challenge Programme project “Sustainable Cooling Infrastructure for Fisheries in Indonesia (SCI-FI)”.SCI-FI is an ambitious interdisciplinary initiative that aims to create a deployment blueprint for sustainable cooling infrastructure that expands cold chain access at affordable costs, while enabling a just and inclusive energy transition in small-scale fishing communities. The project brings together leading researchers from University of Birmingham, Heriot-Watt University (HWU), Durham University, and three partner universities in Indonesia including Politeknik Negeri Bali, Universitas Indonesia, and Universitas Pattimura.At Edinburgh Business School, HWU, we are looking for highly motivated and talented researchers to conduct pioneering work at the intersection of sustainable business, finance, and infrastructure innovation. This role offers a unique opportunity to work within an international, interdisciplinary team tackling real-world sustainability challenges.Key Duties and ResponsibilitiesResearch
  • Collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data from various sources (e.g., surveys, interviews, and secondary datasets).
  • Apply advanced analytical techniques (e.g., econometrics models; AI tools; MCDA; cognitive mapping) to generate robust, actionable insights.
  • Design innovative financing channels and business models to advance sustainable cooling infrastructure.
  • Develop decision-supporting tools to evaluate sustainability outcomes, promote equitable risk-sharing, and profit distribution.
  • Produce high-quality outputs, including academic publications, industry reports, and white papers focus on areas such as sustainable business models, investment behaviours, and financial strategies for sustainable cooling.
  • Collaborate with academic and industrial partners, contributing to project visits, workshops, and cross-consortium coordination.
  • Engage with diverse stakeholders, including Indonesian government agencies and international policymakers, to enhance knowledge exchange and policy impact.
General and administrative
  • Collaborate effectively with administrative and academic staff in the School and across the University.
  • Engage in professional development through training programs aligned with project needs and personal aspirations.
  • Actively engage with industrial and non-academic stakeholders to determine system requirements and address barriers to implementation.
  • Assist with the supervision of student project work and provide day-to-day support to other researchers.
  • Support the delivery of teaching as required.
  • Undertake additional duties as reasonably requested by project leaders, commensurate with the nature and grade of the post.
  • Regularly report research progress through formal and informal reports and communications.
  • Attend and contribute to project meetings and stakeholder engagement events.
  • Assist in developing research proposals and grant applications for follow-on project funding.
Education, Qualifications & ExperienceEssential Criteria * Academic Qualification
  • A PhD (or near completion) in relevant discipline such as Finance; Economics; Business Analytics; Sustainability or related discipline.
  • Subject Matter Expertise
  • Strong knowledge of sustainable Finance, green business, decision support.
  • Understanding of the net zero and/or circular economy.
  • Research Excellence
  • Proven strong track record of high-quality publications.
  • Ability to work independently and conduct high quality research, familiar with tools and techniques for analysing complex systems, qualitative (interviews, surveys) and quantitative data analysis.
  • Technical Proficiency
  • Familiarity with relevant tools, methods, and techniques used in sustainability research and finance.
  • Team Collaboration
  • Experience working effectively in diverse, interdisciplinary teams.
Desirable CriteriaKnowledge, Skills & Experience
  • Evidence of attracting research grants/external funding and delivering on externally funded research projects.
  • Evidence or knowledge to support international collaborations.
  • Awareness of the regulatory frameworks.
How to ApplyPlease submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV.Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Thursday 02 October 2025Informal enquiries can be made to Prof. Bing Xu:About Heriot-Watt UniversityAt 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.Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers .Use our total rewards calculator: to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

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