Vacancy: Research Fellow
About the position
Applications are invited for the role of Research Fellow as part of the UKRI funded UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) theme on the ‘Geopolitics, Energy Security, and Resilience of Net Zero’, based in the Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS) at the University of Warwick.
This is a a multi-university, inter-disciplinary project, led by Professor Caroline Kuzemko, working together with the Warwick Business School, and the universities of Sussex, Durham, York and Leeds. There are three work packages within the theme.
The Research Fellow’s primary duties will be to research and draft journal articles and policy briefs, linked to the ‘Geopolitical Economy of Low Carbon Transitions’ work package, which is led by Professor Gavin Bridge. Within this work package there are two further projects – one on the UK within global battery geopolitics and one on the political economy of the UK’s international electricity interconnectors.
There are also opportunities to engage in research connected to other theme work packages, on the ‘Geopolitics of Fossil Fuel Phase Out’ and the ‘Political Economy of Net Zero in the UK’. And on the overarching theme topic of ‘statecraft and energy transitions’.
The successful candidate will act as Deputy Theme Lead and, in this capacity, will be asked to deputise for Caroline Kuzemko in UKERC Management Board meetings when necessary, liaise with UKERC administrative staff, and to report theme findings and outputs on a half yearly basis.
Location: University of Warwick Campus, Coventry
Department: Politics & International Studies
Position Type: Fixed Term
Duration: Fixed-term contract until 30 June 2028
Salary: £35,608 to £46,049 per annum
Requirements
- You will have a PhD in Politics, International Relations, or International Political Economy or a related subject with expertise in the politics of energy and/or the geopolitics of energy transitions.
- You will have a strong publication record, with high quality publications relevant to the UKERC theme ‘Geopolitics, Energy Security, and Resilience of Net Zero’.
- The ideal candidate should be able to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team to deliver the common objectives of the UKERC ‘Geopolitics, Energy Security, and Resilience of Net Zero’ theme and the ‘Geopolitical Economy of Low Carbon Transitions’ work package, in particular.
- You will be a good communicator capable of working effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team of researchers.
- You will have the ability to clearly communicate complex information (orally and in writing) and material of a specialist or highly technical nature.
- You will be motivated both by an interest in academic research and by a desire to work with policymakers, the public, and others to achieve research-based policy impact in the real world.
- You will possess good planning and time management skills.
- An established research interest in: the role of the state in transitions; the political resilience of net zero policy; or energy security (at a time of transitions) would be useful.
- Experience of reporting funded project outputs would be useful.
- Please note that it is a University of Warwick requirement that the successful candidate resides in the UK.
For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the full job description here.
PhD Status
If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum).
Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).
Before applying, read all the conditions & job information on Warwick's page.
How to Apply
CLOSING DEADLINE: Sunday 31 May 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)
To apply, please click APPLY below and submit your application by the closing deadline.
You will be asked to include a CV and cover letter.
- Your CV should outline your employment and education history, include a list of publications, and provide the names of three expert referees.
- Your cover letter should describe how you meet the criteria in the Job Description (JD) attached below, including your research expertise and interests, any experience of working within funded research projects, and any experience of policy impact and engagement work.
1. Outline your employment and education history (including your most recent employment).
2. Outline the reasons for your interest in this position.
3. Demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role with clear reference to each of the essential and desirable criteria in the Job Description (PDF attached below).
- Interview Date: 28 June 2026
- Start Date: 01 July 2026
For informal queries, please contact Caroline Kuzemko, Professor and Project Investigator, at C.Kuzemko.1@warwick.ac.uk.