"Postdoctoral Research Associate in Inclusive Battery Redeployment and Policy for Global Decarbonisation"

Location: Smith School, School of Geography and the Environment, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QY

Help shape the future of battery reuse and energy justice in emerging economies. The Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment is seeking an exceptional postdoctoral researcher to examine the policy, institutional, and regulatory landscapes shaping battery uptake including second-life batteries across the Global South.

Supported by the Oxford Martin School, this role sits at the cutting edge of global decarbonisation and circular economy research. As electric vehicle adoption accelerates worldwide, vast numbers of batteries are reaching the end of their first life. Redeploying these batteries for grid storage offers transformative potential for clean energy systems — yet uptake remains limited. This project explores why, and what policy, market, and governance conditions are needed to unlock inclusive and sustainable battery redeployment.

Working with Dr Radhika Khosla and Dr Anupama Sen, and collaborating with interdisciplinary colleagues in the Circular Battery Economies Programme, you will analyse cross-cutting policy frameworks, stakeholder landscapes, market barriers, and justice dimensions of battery deployment. The research will focus initially on fast-growing markets in South Asia and Africa, developing comparative insights and policy blueprints to inform wider global diffusion.

This role combines rigorous academic research with high-level policy engagement. You will publish in leading journals, map institutional ecosystems, engage directly with senior policymakers and community stakeholders, organise international workshops, and translate findings into impactful policy outputs. The position is ideal for a scholar with strong mixed-methods expertise, a deep understanding of electricity markets and energy transitions in emerging economies, and a commitment to equitable decarbonisation.

This post is fixed term until 31 December 2027 and offered on a full-time basis (1 FTE / 37.5 hours)

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ well-being, and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a covering letter with a supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. In your supporting statement, please explain how you meet each of the selection criteria found in the job description, and why you would like to do this role. See guidance at https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/cv-and-supporting-statement.

Any technical questions related to this vacancy can be sent to: recruit@ouce.ox.ac.uk

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on 18 March 2026. Only applications submitted by this time will be considered.

The University of Oxford and The School of Geography and the Environment are Silver Athena SWAN holders. Applications are particularly welcome and encouraged from women, black, and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in posts in The School of Geography and the Environment. The School of Geography and the Environment are committed to equality and values diversity

184780 - PDRA Second Life Batteries - Job Description and Person Specification (542.6 KB)