Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment
Research Officer
(Water Security and Behaviour)
Salary from £40,229 to £48,456 pa inclusive with potential to progress to £52,095 pa inclusive of London allowance
This is a fixed term appointment 2.5 years
The Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment is developing a new action research programme around the theme of ‘Behaviour change for inclusive water security in a changing climate in sub-Saharan Africa’ in collaboration with the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science at LSE and multiple NGO and University partners. This is an exciting opportunity to join a transdisciplinary research programme with direct links to practice and strong emphasis on research impact.
The research programme will explore two areas of adaptive behaviour, one addressing behavioural and psychological barriers and enablers at individual/community levels and one examining factors influencing organisational change towards inclusive, climate resilient water security. These areas of inquiry will be explored through detailed case studies at multiple governance scales on climate-water security complexes in West (Burkina Faso), East (Tanzania) and southern (Malawi) Africa, through deep collaboration with NGO partners and partner universities. The programme has a strong normative aim to address gender, equality and inclusion to underpin action towards achieving inclusive water security.
The successful candidate will become a core member of this research programme and will collaborate with the partners to co-design project-level case studies as part of a major primary research exercise. Initially, the post holder will conduct a focused literature review to inform the design of fieldwork-based research to support the wider research programme. There will be a focus on collaborative fieldwork, including elements of partner training/capacity strengthening, in one or more of the partner countries. The research is likely to involve extended periods of time spent working in the field. As such, a willingness to undertake collaborative fieldwork within rural/urban African settings will be essential. Applicants should be open to interdisciplinary collaboration and multi-methods research.
The post holder will have a PhD, or soon to be completed PhD, in Environmental Psychology and/or Behavioural Science, Development, Geography or a related and relevant field. With a strong background and research interests in water/environment/climate change, behavioural and/or psychological science or development geography/social science, candidates will also have excellent empirical and computational skills for qualitative and/or quantitative data analyses, including creation, management and development of databases and use of advanced statistical software (e.g. Stata, R). A good command of the French language, both orally and in writing is highly desirable. We particularly welcome applications from sub-Saharan Africa.
We offer an occupational pension scheme, generous annual leave and excellent training and development opportunities.
For further information about the post, please see the how to apply document, job description and the person specification.
If you have any technical queries with applying on the online system, please use the “contact us” links at the bottom of the LSE Jobs page. Should you have any queries about the role, please email the project PI at d.a.stainforth@lse.ac.uk.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 20 August 2023 (23.59 UK time). Regrettably, we are unable to accept any late applications.
