Job Description

Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom (On-site)


JOB INFO


Job Identification
535
Job Category
Academic and Research
Posting Date
05/06/2025, 09:58 AM
Apply Before
06/03/2025, 05:59 PM
Job Schedule
Full time
Job Shift
Standard
Locations
Business, Law and Social Sciences
(On-site)

The full-time starting salary is normally 42,860.00 per annum, with progression available in post to 46,586.00 per annum.

Grade: UL

Full time, fixed term contract role until 31 December 2027

Birmingham City University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position (up to 36 months) to support a pioneering project focused on the development and implementation of solar-powered irrigation and cold storage systems in Bangladesh. The primary aim of this project is to design and optimise a cold storage system utilising excess energy from solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays, and to create innovative business models that address food security, energy access, and economic development for Bangladeshi farmers.



The candidate will work in the Business School and be integrated in the Global Environmental Challenges Research Group.

Key Responsibilities:

Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting

Design desk-based research methodologies for collation of open-source datasets, including geospatial distribution of irrigation pumps (diesel, electric, grid, SIP). Develop approaches to map farm-scale cropping patterns, seasonality, climatic variations, and local water conditions (surface and groundwater). Categorize crops by irrigation and post-harvest needs, including potential for waste valorisation (biogas/biofuel). Conduct surveys, focus group discussions, and workshops with local stakeholders to understand energy demands for cooling, harvesting, post-harvest processing, and other critical activities. Interrogate collected data with beneficiaries to reveal behavioral drivers, perceptions, and adoption barriers in the energy-water-food nexus. Synthesize findings into a structured P database, PESTLE analysis reports, and Requirements Analysis. Provide actionable insights to inform policy-making and strategic planning for energy interventions.

Techno-Economic and Socio-Technical Analysis

Gather field data throughout various seasons and diverse local conditions to assess performance metrics--including energy use, crop yield, and socio-economic impacts. Design and conduct Life Cycle Assessments identifying areas for improvement in system efficiency and sustainability. Conduct Socio-economic and Techno-economic analysis. Perform cost-benefit and profit maximization modelling to establish financial viability for different technology configurations. Evaluate community engagement outcomes, inclusive processes for marginalized groups, and potential new enterprise/business models around the project.

Stakeholder engagement, Capacity Building and Dissemination

Support the coordination of focus groups, open days, and demonstration and training events--ensuring broad representation and gathering feedback from end-users and policymakers. Contribute to co-creating solutions and resources (e.g., train-the-trainer guides) to bolster technical proficiency and empowerment within rural communities. Prepare publications, reports, and policy briefs to influence sustainable energy practices and agricultural modernization.

You will have a PhD in Business Analytics, Renewable Energy, Data Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, Development Studies, or a closely related discipline. You will also possess demonstrated expertise in, data visualisation, advanced simulation tools, and analytical platforms such as HOMER. Your background will include strong capabilities in socio-technical, techno-economic, and life cycle assessment methodologies, as well as proficiency in managing large-scale datasets and mixed-methods research in energy systems or agricultural environments.

Desirable

You will have successfully coordinated complex, multi-stakeholder projects, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality outcomes. Additionally, you will bring proven leadership experience in managing interdisciplinary research teams, engaging diverse stakeholders, and effectively communicating research findings at academic conferences and policy forums. Experience collaborating closely with communities, NGOs, government agencies, or industry partners in developing-country contexts would be particularly advantageous. Familiarity with GIS, data analytics tools, and IoT applications in energy systems or agricultural environments will be advantageous.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit the following documents:

A cover letter highlighting relevant experience, skills, and motivation for the position. A comprehensive curriculum vitae, including a list of publications and contact information for three professional references.

At Birmingham City University we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. All staff are expected to understand and enact the University's commitment to ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion in our employment practice and in all that we do. This commitment is enshrined in our Core Values and is detailed in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Employment Policy. The University values and celebrates the diversity of our staff and students; we welcome people from the many different backgrounds and life experiences that reflect the students and the citizens we serve. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and actively encourage unique contributions, from under-represented groups in respect of age, disability, sex, gender or gender identity, ethnicity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender status.



For further information about the project or the position, please contact Dr. Shishank Shishank (Shishank.shishank@bcu.ac.uk ) or Prof. Navjot Sandhu (navjot.sandhu@bcu.ac.uk )

Join us in making a difference at Birmingham City University.

Birmingham City University is deeply committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity at all levels in the organisation, and to addressing underrepresentation in our workforce to ensure we are truly representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from applicants from all backgrounds and communities for this role, and particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic applicants.

The University is proudly Disability Confident. This means amongst other things that we commit to offering a guaranteed interview to disabled applicants who fully meet the essential criteria for each role.

ABOUT US


At the heart of our Strategy for 2030 and Beyond, it is our mission to enable our students to transform their lives and to achieve their potential. Through our education and research, and the roles our graduates go on to play in the world, we not only support individuals to transform their lives, but we also play a part in transforming society.

Located in the centre of the UK's second city, we are a university with a long heritage of innovation and of making, dating back to our origins in 1843 when we were founded as the Birmingham Government School of Design.



Our heritage of making through innovation and its application through knowledge exchange, and of creative research and practice, today finds it expression in our STEAM agenda, in our research and enterprise, and in our commitment to challenge-based learning. Working across disciplines, and delivering impactful research and enterprise, interdisciplinarity is at the heart of the continuing transformation of our academic portfolio.