"Research Associate in Urban Mobilities"

Research Associate in Urban Mobilities

Transport Studies Unit, School of Geography and the Environment, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QY

Join an ambitious international research collaboration rethinking urban mobility and logistics for more inclusive cities. The Transport Studies Unit (TSU) is seeking an early-career researcher to work on the UKRI-funded project INCLUCity+: Youth and Logistics Integration in the 15-Minute City, led by Dr Debbie Hopkins.

This interdisciplinary project brings together partners in the UK, Norway, the Netherlands and France, alongside municipalities and industry collaborators, to explore how logistics can be better integrated into proximity-based urbanism. The UK case study focuses on Bristol’s low-traffic neighbourhoods, critically examining how logistics is embedded in urban planning and how more equitable transitions can be achieved.

You will play a central role in delivering the Bristol case study, conducting qualitative fieldwork including interviews, focus groups and co-creation workshops, and engaging with local authorities, civil society, and private-sector actors. You will analyse the justice dimensions of urban logistics, contribute to cross-national collaboration, publish in leading journals, and participate in knowledge exchange and public engagement activities. Some travel to Bristol and occasional international travel will be required.

We are seeking a researcher who holds, or is close to completion of, a PhD in Human Geography, Urban Planning or a related field, with strong qualitative research skills and experience working on social justice in urban contexts. You will be confident managing independent fieldwork, collaborating with practitioner partners, coordinating workshops, and communicating findings to academic, policy and community audiences.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research on urban mobility, logistics and inclusive city transitions within a leading international research environment.

This post is fixed term for 26 months (with a final end date no later than 31 December 2028) 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 25 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

Contact Person: HR Officer | Vacancy ID: 185069 | Pay Scale: RESEARCH GRADE 7 | Salary (£): 39424 - 47779