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Research Assistant/Associate in Life Cycle Assessment
Requisition ID: 29529
Location:
Newcastle, GB
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Contract Type: Fixed Term
Working Pattern: Full Time
Posted Date: 15 Aug 2026
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Salary:
Research Assistant: £33,951 to £35,608 per annum
Research Associate: £36,636 to £37,694 per annum
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 20 August 2026
The Role
We are excited to launch this new opportunity for a Research Assistant or Associate in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to join us in the School of Engineering. This position focuses on advancing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies and datasets to evaluate the sustainability of emerging technologies, materials, and supply chains of CO2 from raw materials to products and final disposal in the Chemical Industry.
Great British Chemicals is a National Research & Innovation Centre for Sustainable Industrial Futures. Funded by EPSRC and NERC, the centre will unite the UK chemical industry, academic researchers and policy makers to advance innovative, scalable and sustainable technology solutions for defossilising chemicals manufacturing. We aim to create people-focused opportunities to truly shape sustainable carbon management.
You will contribute to research that integrates supply chain data, environmental modelling, and economic analysis to identify opportunities for reducing emissions, improving resource efficiency, and enabling circular economy strategies. The work will involve analysing flows of materials and energy across global value chains and assessing associated environmental impacts using internationally recognised LCA standards such as ISO 14040/44.
You will conduct a range of LCAs and test the newly developed Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework for the chemical sector. You will develop and implement strategies to improve data availability, quality, and transparency. Having experience with AI/ML for environmental or toxicological modelling would be an advantage. You should be familiar with regulatory data requirements and compliance systems and have the ability to handle data gaps and conflicting datasets for LCAs.
You will join a diverse group of colleagues based in Newcastle in our Environmental Engineering Research Group and work with Oliver Heidrich and Russell Davenport to advance the science, engineering, regulatory practice and environmental assessments of CO2 utilisation.
You will work closely with interdisciplinary teams to develop decision-support tools, including open-source data platforms and models that enable stakeholders to evaluate sustainability trade-offs and inform policy, industry strategy, and innovation pathways.
This role is embedded in a flagship programme GB Chemicals, addressing one of the most critical global challenges: transitioning to sustainable, circular, and net-zero industrial systems.
We are particularly keen to hear from those with a passion for collaboration and the ability to interact and engage with industry and academia, and who can be an integral part of a diverse network of specialists. The research integrates technology scale sustainability and LCA with supply chain modelling, digital tools, and environmental analysis to support decision-making across industry and policy.
You will contribute to shaping how emerging technologies and materials to manage carbon are designed, evaluated, and deployed, ensuring they are environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially responsible. The quantification of the supply chain data with qualitative inputs will identify efficiency opportunities and environmental challenges that may hinder sustainability.
Our work will assess and develop a roadmap to a sustainable net-zero chemical industry towards SSbD chemicals from feedstocks, intermediates and products. The research aims to shape emerging technologies during early developmental stages to ensure they are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.
By focusing on critical resources, minerals, and chemicals, the study will provide actionable recommendations for meeting future demand with minimal environmental impact.
We want you to feel confident when applying for a position with Newcastle University. If you’d like an informal discussion to clarify any points, please contact
[email protected]
We are committed to making the process accessible to everyone and can provide additional support to make adjustments to meet your needs’. You are required to travel to national project meetings, attend and present at international conferences and liaise closely with industry partners.
Newcastle University follows the Researcher Development Concordat: Researcher Development | Our Research | Newcastle University. We enable all colleagues to fulfil their research potential regardless of career stage. This commitment secures our thriving research culture and vibrant research environment. Our offer to each individual and their researcher development includes mentoring, annual research planning discussions, pooled research funding to support career development and research activities, peer review support for the development of research and innovation funding applications’.
As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role Profiles.pdf. These profiles set out firstly the generic competencies and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and, secondly, the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.
Find out more about the Faculty SAGE: Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Engineering | Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Engineering | Newcastle University
Find out more about our Research Group: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/engineering/research/environmental-engineering/
Apply by providing a CV, cover letter and records of previous publications/evidence of related research or work
This is a full-time fixed term role, until 31 August 2028.
Key Accountabilities
Research Assistant
Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
Co-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s)
Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project
Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books)
Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate
Quantify flows of materials, carbon, and resources across supply chains
Conduct Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) of products, processes, or systems using established databases (e.g., Ecoinvent) and software (e.g., SimaPro, OpenLCA)
Develop integrated sustainability models combining environmental, economic (LCC and LCA), and resource efficiency metrics
Identify hotspots for emissions, resource depletion, and environmental impacts across value chains
Support development of digital tools and data platforms for sustainability assessment and decision-making
In addition for Research Associate
Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project
Determine appropriate methodologies for research
Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
Quantify flows of materials, carbon, and resources across supply chains
Conduct Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) of products, processes, or systems using established databases (e.g., Ecoinvent) and software (e.g., SimaPro, OpenLCA)
Develop integrated sustainability models combining environmental, economic (LCC and LCA), and resource efficiency metrics
Identify hotspots for emissions, resource depletion, and environmental impacts across value chains
Support development of digital tools and data platforms for sustainability assessment and decision-making
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Research Assistant
Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy
Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results
Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
Excellent IT skills in all major office applications
The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems
Experience with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Strong understanding of sustainability assessment frameworks, circular economy principles, and supply chain analysis
Experience using LCA tools/databases (e.g., SimaPro, GaBi, OpenLCA, Ecoinvent)
Skills in data analysis, modelling, or programming (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB, or similar)
Experience working with complex datasets (e.g., environmental, economic, or industrial data)
In addition for Research Associate
Awareness of the research environment
High level of analytical and problem solving capacity
Ability to communicate complex information with clarity
Experience of presentations at conferences and high quality publications
Attributes and Behaviour
Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi-skilled research team
Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple, competing responsibilities and to work to deadlines
Commitment to continued professional development
Understanding of good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity
Qualifications
Research Assistant: Honours degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Sustainability, or a related discipline
Research Associate: PhD in Engineering, Environmental Science, Industrial Ecology, Sustainability, or a closely related field
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 29529
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