"Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Circular Economy Engineering"

About the role

We are seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join Circular Economy and Sustainability Lab at the Department of Engineering Science (central Oxford). The post is funded by UKRI and is fixed term for two years, with the possibility of an extension.

The PDRA will join the Circular Electrical and Electronics Project, which aims to enable a low-carbon circular economy for Electrical and Electronic Equipment (CEEE) that reduces the mining of rare, expensive and critical raw materials. CEEP is supported by a consortium of over 25 partners from across the EEE value chain. The PDRA will be responsible for working with industry partners to develop and evaluate product and system-level design solutions to enable effective reuse, repair and remanufacture of EEE.

About you

You should possess a relevant PhD/DPhil (e.g. in Engineering, Product Design) and have knowledge of relevant sustainability assessment approaches such as Life Cycle Assessment. You should also have experience of analysing research results in a transparent and reproducible way, using relevant tools and software. You should be enthusiastic to learn and work independently and as part of a larger team working on the transition to the circular economy and have the curiosity and motivation to address important real-world problems through rigorous and ambitious academic inquiry.

What we offer

At the University of Oxford your happiness and wellbeing at work is important to us. We have a number of generous benefits including 38 days' annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays and fixed closure days), generous pension schemes and free access to the Oxford colleges. The other benefits include:

• Travel - We have several travel schemes available for staff which promote sustainable modes of transport.
• Family friendly benefits - We aim to be a family-friendly employer and offer a range of flexible working options. We have some of the most generous family leave provision in the Higher Education sector.
• Sports – We have several schemes to help you stay fit and healthy, including discounted membership of the university sports centre on the Iffley Road
• Personal and professional development - We actively encourage all staff to participate in planning their personal and professional development and provide a broad range of opportunities to enable them to reach their full potential.
• University club - All staff are entitled to free membership of the University Club. It offers social and hospitality facilities, a small gym and exercise classes.
• Staff discounts - University staff can access shopping discounts in several ways; by purchasing a TOTUM card, by showing an employee pass in selected local stores, or online by using any of the listed discount codes
• Childcare services - We offer excellent childcare services including five University nurseries as well as University-supported places at other local private nurseries.

How to apply

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via our e-recruitment system and should include the covering letter/supporting statement (describing how you meet the criteria), a CV, and names of two academic references.

The position is a full-time fixed term post available for two years.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Tuesday 21 April 2026.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. Lucia Corsini: lucia.corsini@eng.ox.ac.uk

Further information can be found at https://eng.ox.ac.uk/jobs

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford. The Department is committed to equality and valuing diversity and holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting gender equality in academia. The University is a Living Wage Employer, holds an Athena Swan Silver Award, an HR Excellence in Research and a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award and is a Stonewall Diversity Champion. Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we seek to create a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through our EDI Committee, working groups and networks, for example eng.ox.ac.uk/women-in-engineering, as well as a number of family friendly policies.