Durham University is one of the world's top universities, with strengths across the Arts and Humanities, Sciences, Social Sciences and Business Studies. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives. The University sits in a beautiful historic city where it shares ownership of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral, the greatest Romanesque building in Western Europe. A collegiate University, Durham recruits outstanding students from the United Kingdom and across the world and offers an unmatched wider student experience. Less than 3 hours north of London, and an hour and a half south of Edinburgh, County Durham is a region steeped in history and natural beauty. Durham offers an excellent choice of city, suburban and rural residential locations. The University provides a range of benefits including pension and childcare benefits and the University's Relocation Manager can assist with potential schooling requirements. Durham University seeks to promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for work and study that assists all members of our university community to reach their full potential. Diversity brings strength and we welcome applications from across the international, national, and regional communities that we work with and serve. 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 The Department 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 180 academic and teaching staff, with plans and resource commitments to grow to 230 by 2027. In addition, 11 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 wealth 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 collaborative research across disciplines and around the world. Our department is part of the triple-accredited Business School, home to academics whose research is internationally renowned for intellectual rigour and for the benefits it brings to the society. We work closely with business partners around the world, sharing insights, supporting innovation, and educating tomorrow's leaders. More details about our research, teaching, and business connections can be found on our website https://www.durham.ac.uk/business/research/. The Role Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to support the research project " Evaluation of Space Debris and Its Potential Usage for a Circular Space Economy ". The project will focus on developing optimal circular-economy pathways for end-of-life satellites and space debris, considering the best-use configuration among various alternative potential uses. Specifically, you will work on optimal circular pathway design for Space debris and on business model development around circular economy of space debris This will include: Determining the value of reusing, recycling, remanufacturing of parts and materials for different applications - in-orbit servicing, in-space manufacturing, manufacturing for Space Determining the optimal circular economy pathways (reuse, recycle, remanufacturing, repair etc.) for the parts and materials extracted from space objects including the timing of such interventions considering the value of the materials, costs of extraction and processing, and growth potential in future applications Design of an appropriate service-led business model for commercialising and enabling for-profit services around the circular economy of space debris. The successful applicant will work alongside the project PI, Prof. Atanu Chaudhuri, and Mr. Ralph Dinsley from project partner 3S Northumbria Limited, Prof. Lenos Trigeorgis and Dr. Zsofia Toth. During the first year, it will also involve close collaboration with another PDRA involved in phase 1 of the 4-year project focused on assessing the content and value of materials. The PDRA role is funded by Durham University Business School's Smart & Scale initiative, an interdisciplinary impact-driven research programme in smart and scale-up activities focusing on innovation and business development of SMEs in the North-East of England. Responsibilities: To work with the Principal Investigator and the other colleagues involved in the research project and with the industrial partner in building appropriate models using switching option or real option analysis, identifying an appropriate dataset with realistic parameter estimation and analysing the dataset to assess the value and optimal pathways for space debris reuse. To conduct interviews with Space industry experts, broader stakeholders, and other researchers in the Durham University Responsible Space Innovation Centre in obtaining realistic parameter estimates to populate the theoretical switching models and develop a service-led business model for commercialising space debris reuse. To engage in and facilitate publishing high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator and other research colleagues involved in the project. To deal with any problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator and other colleagues in the research project and offering appropriate or innovative solutions. To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences. 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 contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect. To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline. To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the research activities of the Center for Strategy, Technological Innovation and Operations (CSTIO), undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses. This post is fixed term for 24 months and may not be extendible for a further length of time. 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. The post-holder will have opportunity to participate in activities organised by Durham University Space Research Centre as well as related activities organised by the Centre for Strategy, Technological Innovation and Operations (CSTIO) at Durham University Business School. Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by May 2025. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 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, 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 parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. There is 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. Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16. Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. A salary sacrifice scheme is 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. It's important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. 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 For informal enquiries please contact Prof Atanu Chaudhuri and Prof. Lenos Trigeorgis. All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence: atanu.chaudhuridurham.ac.uk and lenos.trigeorgisdurham.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 abrief description of the problem you're experiencing toe.recruitmentdurham.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 For general queries, please contact e.recruitmentdurham.ac.uk 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 a two-page cover letter (maximum) which details your relevant training, experience, strengths, and potential to meet the essential and, if appropriate, desirable criteria listed below. Next Steps Short-listed candidates will be invited to interview on a date to be confirmed. 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 a relevant subject (Industrial Engineering, other Engineering disciplines, Operations Research, Operations Management, Business Strategy) A PhD (or be close to submission) in Operations Research, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, and Service Operations with genuine interest in Space Sustainability and expertise on operations research techniques, simulation, real options, system dynamics and coding skills in Python/R etc. Experience Experience in conducting high quality academic research. Collaborative working with industry and business on business model development Skills Knowledge of dynamic programming, decision trees, real options, simulation, business models. Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings. Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines. An insatiable appetite for all things "Space" Desirable Criteria Experience Experience of developing high quality impactful research and business model development. Experience of publication record in or submission to peer-reviewed journal/established conferences, commensurate with stage of career. A track record of communicating research at academic conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career. Experience in working on business model development in complex project environments with multiple partners. Skills Knowledge of Space exploration, Space Sustainability, Circular Economy Knowledge of trends and dynamics of Space Industry, initiatives and regulations related to Space Sustainability proposed by UK, European Union and USA Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.