Research Assistant/Associate in Sustainable Finance

Salary: Reserach Assistant - £33,951 to £35,608

            Research Associate - £36,636 to £46,049

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 06 May 2026

The Role

We are seeking to appoint a Research Assistant or Research Associate to work on the INSURE (Innovative sustainable finance mechanisms for a net zero, regenerative and equitable future) project, funded by Newcastle City Council and based at Newcastle University Business School.

INSURE is an interdisciplinary, policy-oriented research project that aims to support Newcastle City Council’s Net Zero 2030 Action Plan and emerging climate adaptation strategy. The project focuses on identifying and developing innovative sustainable finance mechanisms that can mobilise investment for local climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives. These include instruments such as green municipal bonds, blended finance models, community investment mechanisms, and new public-private finance structures.

Working closely with the Principal Investigator, Dr Iftekhar Ahmed, the successful candidate will contribute to applied research on sustainable finance, climate risk, and urban investment strategies, with a strong emphasis on policy relevance and stakeholder engagement. The project involves collaboration with local government, policymakers, financial institutions, and regional stakeholders, aiming to generate actionable insights and practical tools for financing local climate action.

The role will involve quantitative economic and financial analysis, literature and policy review, case study research, stakeholder engagement activities, and the development of research outputs including reports, policy briefs, and academic publications.

This position provides an excellent opportunity for an early-career researcher interested in sustainable finance, climate economics, and policy-relevant research, and who is keen to contribute to research with direct societal and policy impact.

This is a full time, fixed-term post until 1st October 2026 in the first instance, with the possibility of extension subject to further funding. We are seeking a candidate who can start as soon as possible.

For informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Dr Iftekhar Ahmed (iftekhar.ahmed@newcastle.ac.uk)

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role Profiles.pdf.  These profiles set out firstly the generic competencies and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and, secondly, the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Key Accountabilities

Research Assistant

• Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes.
• Co-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s).
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project.
• Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books).
• Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate.
• Contribute to the development of finance frameworks and policy tools to support Newcastle City Council’s Net Zero and climate adaptation strategies
• Support the organisation and facilitation of stakeholder workshops, meetings, and co-design activities with policymakers and practitioners
• Manage and maintain research data in accordance with research integrity, ethical standards, and data management policies
• Engage with stakeholders including local authorities, policy organisations, industry partners, and civil society groups
• Be available for occasional work outside normal working hours where required, including participation in stakeholder meetings, workshops, and limited national travel

In addition for Research Associate

• Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project.
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research.
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations.
• Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications.
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline.
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding.
• Work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research team and with other investigators and colleagues to produce high-quality research with impact on sustainable finance, climate policy, and local government decision-making
• Contribute to the research culture and wider activities of Newcastle University Business School through participation in research seminars, workshops, and policy engagement events
• Undertake quantitative analysis and financial modelling related to climate investment, policy interventions, and innovative financing instruments

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

 Research Assistant

• Knowledge of/Ability to/Experience of interdisciplinary research with primary focus on social science disciplines.
• Demonstrable expertise in quantitative research methods and data analysis, including the use of analytical software such as Stata, R, Python, or similar tools
• Experience analysing economic, financial, or policy-related datasets
• Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy
• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
• Excellent IT skills in all major office applications
• The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems.

 In addition for Research Associate

• Awareness of the research environment
• High level of analytical and problem solving capacity
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity
• Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications
• Ability to assess and evaluate financing models and case studies relevant to local government and urban climate action, and to develop original insights and solutions to financing and policy challenges
• Strong understanding of research integrity and good research practice
• Strong academic background in finance, economics, or a closely related discipline

Attributes and Behaviour

• Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi-skilled research team
• Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple, competing responsibilities and to work to deadlines
• Commitment to continued professional development
• Understanding of good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of research integrity

Qualifications

Research Assistant

• Honours degree (or possessing equivalent professional experience) in a relavent subject such as Finance, Economics, Enviromental Economics, Public Policy, Data Science or another closely related quantitative social science discipline (PI to outline disciplines)
• A Masters degree in a relevant subject (such as Finance, Economics, Enviromental Economics, Public Policy, Data Science or another closely related quantitative social science) is highly desirable

In addition for Research Associate

• A PhD in a relevant subject such as Finance, Economics, Enviromental Economics, Public Policy, Data Science or another closely related quantitative social science discipline (PI to outline disciplines)

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 29309