Job Description

Job title Research Fellow / Senior Research Fellow

Faculty/Directorate CEM
Grade: F/G Role profile: Research
Full time (Part-time or Job-share considered) Fixed term (18 months / until end Oct. 2025)

Duties of the role

Overall purpose This role aims to develop, test and evaluate collaborative governance approaches to the
of the role Net Zero climate change agenda in the Leicestershire area as part of a 21-month Innovate
UK funded project led by Leicestershire County Council. By leading on delivery of the
“Governance” project work package, you will involve a range of stakeholders from local
government, businesses, public and voluntary sectors and local citizens in shaping
decisions that affect them. The project is focussed upon governance which is inclusive,
deliverable and effective for driving action on climate change and the development of
sustainable local energy infrastructure.

Leading delivery of an action research initiative, you will work to achieve real-world
benefits in Leicestershire and to generate and disseminate insight into effective regional
climate governance approaches that will be of value for localities, practitioners and
researchers beyond the local area. The project will deliver on the ‘civic university’ agenda,
bringing together Leicestershire-area universities through the ‘Universities Partnership’ to
collaborate for the benefit of local communities.

Main duties and Your main duties and responsibilities will be to:
responsibilities 1. Design and deliver stakeholder engagement activity to test and evaluate effective
and inclusive approaches to Net Zero governance in the Leicestershire area.
2. Develop and deliver the ‘action research’ design for the project, encompassing data
collection, analysis, evaluation and production of research outputs.
3. Carry out a desk-based review of local and regional climate, sustainability and
energy governance approaches, to identify structures and activities to be piloted
locally.
4. Communicate and disseminate project findings to academic, professional and
policymaker audiences, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
5. Manage project delivery effectively, ensuring deliverables are produced on time
and to specification and maintaining effective working relationships with project
partners.
6. Contribute to the wider activities of the project and the work of the Universities
Partnership in support of delivery of the project aims.

In addition:
• Treat all DMU staff, students, contractors and visitors with dignity and respect.
Provide a service that complies with the Equality Act 2010, eliminating unlawful
discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity and fostering good relations with
particular attention to the protected characteristics of age, disability, gender
 Duties of the role

reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race,

religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.
• All members of staff are responsible for their contribution to improved
environmental performance and in reducing greenhouse gas emissions at DMU. It
is therefore required that all members of staff are aware of how the Environmental
Policy relates to their own role at the University. Staff conduct must reflect the
values inherent in the Environmental Policy and where required staff must
cooperate with environmental compliance and conformance requirements to help
minimise our emissions to air, water and land.
• The postholder should have a positive attitude towards health and safety, and be
aware of and comply with all health and safety policies for the university, as
applicable. There will be a requirement to complete all mandatory health and safety
training as deemed to be relevant for the position held. The postholder is expected
to help maintain a safe working environment for staff, students and visitors by
working closely with the local safety coordinator as required. Any accidents or
dangerous incidents must be reported promptly through the university’s reporting
system.
• Perform any other duties commensurate with the job grade as reasonably required
from time to time.

Person Specification
Job Title Research Fellow / Senior Research Fellow
Faculty/Directorate CEM
Grade: F/G Role profile: Research
Full time or Job-share arrangement Fixed term (until end October 2025)

Area of Requirements Essential or desirable *Method of

responsibility assessment

A I T D

Qualifications & Postgraduate academic Essential X X

Training qualification, and/or professional
body membership and/or 3+
years professional experience in
one or more of energy / climate /
sustainability / public
engagement.

PhD or professional experience in

leadership roles essential for
appointment at Senior Research
Fellow level.
Area of Requirements Essential or desirable *Method of
responsibility assessment

A I T D

Previous Work Experience of delivering Essential X X

Experience stakeholder engagement activity
to a range of audiences, including
presentations and group
facilitation, online and in-person

Experience of designing and Essential X X

conducting research in
professional or academic settings.
Conception and leadership of
research projects essential for
Senior Research Fellow level

Experience of writing professional Essential X X X

reports and/or academic research
articles.

4+ peer-reviewed articles and/or 4+

public reports with national
relevance essential for Senior
Research Fellow level

Experience of action research as a Desirable

research methodology
Prior participation in multi-sector Desirable X X
policy/practice networks or
projects, including local
authorities, in Leicestershire
and/or another UK region
Planning and Able to work effectively under own Essential X X
Organisation initiative and collaboratively with
colleagues.
Design, plan and deliver projects, Essential X X
ensuring deliverables are
produced on time and to
specification.

Specific Strong communication skills, Essential X X X

Knowledge/Skills including written and oral
/Abilities/ methods, for a range of audiences
Motivation/ (including public, academic and
Attitude policymaker)
Required
Knowledge of the implications of Essential X X X
climate change for required
Area of Requirements Essential or desirable *Method of
responsibility assessment

A I T D
local/regional actions on energy
and sustainability

Good understanding of equality, Essential X X X

diversity and inclusion issues and
how they affect the workplace and
civic participation.

Personal commitment to addressing Essential X X

climate change and sustainable
development for societal benefit

Additional Understand confidentiality and the Essential X X

Requirements requirements of the Data Protection
Act.
Ability to undertake occasional out Desirable X X
of core hours work
Our Values and
Behaviours at
DMU
We are We support each other to achieve Essential X
Collaborative – joint outcomes
we work together
We understand how our work
to get things
done
contributes to DMU
We are aware of our personal
impact on others
We are honest We are open, honest and caring Essential X
and We work on a trust basis
Compassionate
We hold ourselves accountable for
our actions
We are We constantly strive for better Essential X
innovative and We challenge bureaucracy and
Creative
explore digital solutions
We are innovative and creative
We are a We embrace alternative views Essential X
community – we We treat others with respect
value and
champion We tackle inequalities
difference

*A = Application Form; I = Interview; T = Test; D = Documentary Evidence