Job vacancy – Senior Research Associate

Senior Research Associate: The Governance of Energy Demand in Smarter Local Grids

Lancaster Environment Centre
Salary:   £32,277 to £37,394 pay award pending
Closing Date:   Wednesday 26 August 2015
Interview Date:   September 10th 2015
Reference:  A1328

We are seeking to appoint a senior research associate to the DEMAND research centre (Dynamics of Energy, Mobility and Demand) funded by the Research Councils UK Energy Programme. This appointment is to undertake research within Project 3.4 on The Governance of Energy Demand in Smarter Local Grids. The researcher will work with Professor Gordon Walker and Dr Catherine Grandclement (EDF R&D) on developing theoretical and empirical insights into how the more dense and ubiquitous (in space and time) forms of knowledge that are now beginning to flow across smarter energy grids are generating new possibilities for the active governance of energy demand. We are interested in conceptualizing such rapidly moving technology-knowledge-governance developments using concepts from science and technology studies, but also potentially from governmentality theory and other related resources.

The empirical work will focus on ‘micro grids’ within the sites and estates of large organisations, where forms of local on-site energy generation are being added to established or new local network supply infrastructures, re-spatializing the scale of supply-demand relationships. A series of case studies across a spectrum of ‘smarter’ local network arrangements and organizational types will be investigated. In addition there will be parallel engagement and comparison with research being undertaken by EDF R&D on domestic smart grids in France.

You should have a relevant PhD in science and technology studies, sociology, human geography or other appropriate subject, as well as ideally research experience beyond the PhD. You should have good literature review and synthesis skills, good qualitative research skills and an interest in and ability to work creatively with theory. French language skills would be advantageous but not essential. Ideally you should also have some experience of research on energy or infrastructural issues.

This is a fixed term contract for 24 months.

Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Gordon Walker by email g.p.walker@lancaster.ac.uk or on 01524 510256

We welcome applications from people in all diversity groups.

 

For more information and how to apply please visit the Lancaster University jobs page

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