Ref Number: B04-07661
Professional Expertise: Research and Research Support
Department: UCL BEAMS (B04)
Location: London
Working Pattern: Full time
Contract Type: Fixed-term
Working Type: Hybrid
Available for Secondment: No
Closing Date:15-Sept-2026
University College London wishes to appoint a part-time Research Assistant to join an interdisciplinary project funded through the UCL Grand Challenges Climate Crisis programme. The postholder will be based at The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction and will work closely with researchers in UCL Geography and collaborators in Mauritius and the Maldives.
The project, “Governing interdependent public infrastructure for climate resilience in Small Island Developing States”, examines how governance arrangements shape climate-resilient decisions across connected public infrastructure systems. These include water, energy, transport, drainage, ports and public facilities.
The Research Assistant will undertake structured reviews of academic and policy evidence, stakeholder mapping, semi-structured interviews, and thematic and comparative analysis. They will also support research ethics and data-management processes, liaise with project collaborators and stakeholders, and contribute to a stakeholder workshop, a comparative governance framework and accessible partner-facing briefs.
The role offers an opportunity to contribute to policy-relevant international research at the intersection of climate adaptation, infrastructure and environmental governance, while developing experience of interdisciplinary and partner-engaged research.
This is a part-time position at 0.5 FTE, fixed-term until 31 July 2027. The maximum salary offer with an immediate start date is equivalent to Grade 6, Spinal point 26, inclusive of London Allowance.
You will have an MSc, or equivalent relevant research experience, in a field such as climate change, environmental or infrastructure governance, geography, planning, public policy and administration, development studies, political science, or a closely related discipline.
You will have good knowledge of climate change adaptation and environmental, infrastructure or resource governance. You will also have experience of qualitative social-science research, including structured literature or document reviews, stakeholder mapping or engagement, semi-structured interviews, and thematic or comparative analysis.
You will be able to synthesise complex evidence and communicate research clearly and accurately to both academic and non-academic audiences. Strong interpersonal and organisational skills are essential, together with the ability to use initiative, manage competing priorities and work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary and international team.
You will be committed to ethical, inclusive and culturally sensitive research, including responsible handling of research data and respect for the knowledge and priorities of collaborators and stakeholders.
Knowledge of Small Island Developing States, island governance, Mauritius, the Maldives or the wider Indian Ocean region would be advantageous. Experience of qualitative analysis software such as NVivo, ATLAS.ti or MAXQDA is also desirable.
Your application will be assessed based on how well the criteria set out in the person specification are met using examples to demonstrate this. Please read the Candidate Guidance document below. We recommend including a Supporting statement with each criteria as a subheading.