Description Directorate: The School of Social Sciences/ The Edinburgh Business School Salary: Grade 6 (£30,805 - £36,130) / Grade 7 (£37,174 - £46,735) Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (24 Months) Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full-time staff (Part time workers should pro rata this by their FTE). 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. Detailed Description The Responsible Electronics and Circular Technologies Centre (REACT) is a £6M UKRI-supported Green Economy Centre: a world-leading research initiative supporting the electronic, ICT, semiconductor, quantum and photonics industries in transitioning to a circular economy and reducing emissions. REACT unites a cross-disciplinary team of leading researchers from University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University (HWU), and the Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult. At Edinburgh Business School, HWU, we are seeking a highly motivated and talented Research Assistant or Post-doctoral Research Associate to join this interdisciplinary team. This role provides an exciting opportunity to engage in innovative research at the intersection of sustainable finance, social dynamics, and policy frameworks supporting circular economy transitions in the electronics sector. Key Duties and Responsibilities Research Lead high-quality research on financial innovations, social dynamics, and policies promoting responsible and circular practices in the electronics sector. Collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources, including surveys, interviews, and secondary datasets. Apply/design appropriate analytical techniques (e.g., econometrics models; AI tools; MCDA; cognitive mapping) to generate impactful insights. Identify funding gaps and explore innovative financing channels for sustainable projects. Develop tools to evaluate and predict sustainability outcomes from financial decisions. Formulate tailored financial solutions to support technological innovations at various stages. Analyse public sentiment and consumer readiness for sustainable electronics. Explore the role of procurement in promoting sustainable electronics. Evaluate the effectiveness of existing policies and identify gaps. Produce high-quality academic publications and industry-focused reports or white papers. Collaborate with academic and industrial project partners, including short and medium-term visits, and coordinate activities across the consortium. General and Administrative Collaborate effectively with administrative and academic staff in the School and University level. Engage in professional development through relevant training programs aligned with project needs and personal aspirations. Actively engage with industrial and non-academic stakeholders to understand system requirements and address barriers to implementation. Assist with the supervision of student project work and provide day-to-day support to other researchers. Contribute to teaching responsibilities as required. Contribute to developing follow-on research proposals and grant applications for future project funding. Regularly report research progress through formal and informal reports and communications. Undertake additional duties as reasonably requested by project leaders, commensurate with the role. Education, Qualifications and Experience Essential Criteria A PhD (or near completion) in relevant discipline such as Finance; Economics; Business Analytics; Sustainability or related discipline. Strong understanding of sustainable finance, responsible business practices, and circular economy practices. Proven ability to effectively collect, analyse and work with qualitative and quantitative data. Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills, with a track record of publications. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a diverse team of academic and industrial partners. How to Apply Please must 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 until midnight on Thursday 1 st May 2025 Informal enquiries can be made to Prof. Bing Xu: b.xuhw.ac.uk At 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 https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/. We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options. 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.