Postdoctoral Research Associate - Sustainable & Inclusive Space Innovation at Durham University

Durham, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

17 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

16 Feb, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Research, Sustainable Development, Inclusive Development, Cislunar Economy, Multisensorial Sciences, Analytical Visualization, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Policy Analysis, Data Visualization, Infographics, Communication, Project Planning, Professional Development, Interpersonal Skills, Data Analysis

Industry

Higher Education

Description

Working at Durham University A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it’s also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community. Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential. Our Purpose and Values We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page Durham University Business School Dynamic and vibrant, Durham University Business School is one of Durham University’s four Faculties and is comprised of four research-intensive departments: Accounting, Economics, Finance, and Management and Marketing. Known for its global reputation, its impact on policy and practice and its strong focus on ethics, responsibility and sustainability, the School aims to be a leading European business school with a strong global presence by 2027. The School currently has circa 200 academic and teaching staff, with plans and resource commitments to grow to 230 by 2027. In addition, 12 funded research centres (https://www.dur.ac.uk/business/research/research-centres/) blend leading theoretical perspectives with a strong emphasis on impact and engagement with practice, noted in www.durham.ac.uk/business. The school’s student population is around 4000, across undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes. Our vision is to lead business thought and practice to improve global society and well-being. Our associated mission is to create, share and use knowledge to deliver equitable and sustainable futures around the world. We pursue this mission by advancing world changing knowledge and securing global impact through increasingly collaborative research across disciplines and around the world. The Role and Department The Department of Management and Marketing at Durham University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to advance research and impact on the topic of Sustainable and Inclusive Space Innovation for the Cislunar Economy, with a particular emphasis on multisensorial communications and analytical visualization to mitigate emerging space risks. We welcome applications from those with research interests in the field of Space Innovation, Technology Governance, Multisensorial Sciences, and Analytical Visualization to join us. We are particularly eager to hear from applicants with demonstrated experiences in conducting novel qualitative and quantitative research. The successful post-holder will be supervised by Dr Nikita Chiu, Associate Professor in Space Innovation & Technology Governance, and will have the opportunity to be affiliated with research centres based at Durham University. This post offers an exciting opportunity to make a major contribution to the development of internationally excellent research at the intersection of Space Innovation, Business, and Governance. For more information, please visit our Department pages at Management and Marketing - Durham University Business School. Key responsibilities Key responsibilities include but are not limited to the following · To conduct research on strengthening sustainable and inclusive development of future space activities for the cislunar economy under the supervision of the supervisor, with a focus on integrating multisensorial and accessibility sciences in communicating space risks to a broad audience, including but not limited to policy and industry stakeholders, professionals and individuals with diverse abilities. · To produce high-impact publications and rigorous research outputs on the topics of sustainable and inclusive space innovation under supervision. · To conduct critical analyses based on publicly available information and data on emerging space risks under the supervision of the supervisor. · To prepare and develop policy-relevant visual and multisensorial communications designed to engage a wider audience to appraise and understand emerging space risks, including but not limited to infographics that integrates data visualization, audio, tactile (e.g. through 3D printing), and/or other experimental mechanisms to advance inclusion in communicating space risks. · To assist and provide support to the supervisor in the delivery of high-impact research, impact, and engagement on sustainable and inclusive space innovation. · To engage in wider citizenship to support the department, the space centre, and the University in the development of an inclusive space ecosystem under the direction of the supervisor. · To develop new collaborative projects under the supervision of the supervisor. · To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include but not limited to research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences. · To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the supervisor and offering creative or innovative solutions. · To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration. · To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects. · To engage in continuing professional development, for example by attending relevant training. · To contribute to fostering a collegial, diverse, and professional working environment which is inclusive. This post is fixed term for up to 24 months with an envisioned commencement in April 2026. The funding is available from 1 April 2026 for this fixed period only. The role will be supported by the Strategic Research Fund in association with the Space Research Centre at Durham University. The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols. Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 01/04/2026 or as soon as possible thereafter, with an earlier start date desirable. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS). No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance. We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16. Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions. Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups. If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application. The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Leader status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. Contact Information Department contact for academic-related enquiries Dr. Nikita Chiu, Associate Professor in Space Innovation & Technology Governance, sze.w.chiu@durham.ac.uk Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to fob.recruitment@durham.ac.uk Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays). University contact for general queries about the recruitment process How to Apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. What to Submit All applicants are asked to submit: a CV and cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out in the person specification in this job description. A research statement of up to two A4 pages on the topic of Sustainable and Inclusive Space Innovation for the Cislunar Economy, identifying prospective research that can enhance inclusion through integrating multisensorial science and data visualization. A job market paper. Next Steps Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will normally include a presentation to staff and students in the Department followed by an interview and we anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place over two days towards mid March. In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas. Person Specification Essential Criteria: Qualifications A good first degree in STEM or SHAPE subject. A PhD (or be close to submission) in Technology Policy and Management, or a closely related field Experience 3. Experience in conducting high quality academic and scientific research, demonstrated through previous publications and/or a job market paper. 4. Strong backgrounds in conducting research that synthesizes both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. 5. Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly ranked journals. 6. Demonstrable ability to present research papers at international conferences and communicate complex information to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. 7. Knowledge of and familiarity with historic and the latest developments in the cislunar economy, including space initiatives from beyond the Global North. Skills 8. Demonstrable ability to effectively collect, analyse, visualize, and communicate relevant data and information. 9. Demonstrable ability in data visualization and the development of infographics in communicating complex interplay of datasets. 10. Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines. 11. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Desirable Criteria Experience 12. Familiarity with multisensorial communications of data and information, including but not limited to 3D printed tactile representation, sonification, and/or other experimental means of data communications. 13. Industry-related knowledge and/or experience in the space sector. (e.g. internships, extra-curricular activities) 14. Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career. 15. Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with academics across various career stages. 16. Demonstrable ability to plan and manage research and meet strict deadlines 17. Additional language ability beyond English

Responsibilities

The role involves conducting research on sustainable and inclusive development for the cislunar economy, focusing on integrating multisensorial science and accessibility in communicating space risks to diverse stakeholders. Key duties include producing high-impact publications and developing policy-relevant visual and multisensorial communications, such as infographics and tactile representations, to enhance inclusion.