Research Associate

Role Description

Department

Following the recent funding of the UKRI Ayrton Challenge Programme, we are seeking to recruit a postdoctoral research fellow to work on a project concerned with developing sustainable business models for solar energy-as-a-service (EaaS). This element is part of a larger project concerned with co-designing clean energy for rural Africa with service innovations and digital twins, involving collaborations with others at the School for Business and Society and the wider University of York, and partners in Kenya, Malawi and Zambia.

Role

You will work primarily with Professor Michael Ngoasong and Professor Melanie Kreye in the School for Business and Society on analysis of primary data, to develop and implement an affordable and sustainability business model using the EaaS concept. This will also involve collaborating on other work packages on the project concerned with community-centric participatory technology development and the use of the Digital Twin platform as the foundation for developing the EaaS business model. 

Skills, Experience & Qualifications needed

• PhD in any area of business management with a strong primary data analysis component, or closely related discipline (or shortly to be obtaining a PhD), or equivalent experience
• Strong background knowledge  in one or more of the following areas to engage in high quality research:

                 Energy provision
                 Service-based business models
                 Knowledge of the Sub-Saharan Africa context

• Has research expertise in an area that will complement and enhance the project team’s research strategy and goals
• Excellent skills in field data collection, analysis, and communication.

This is a fixed term contract up to 31 December 2027 and the start date is around 1 March 2025.

Interview date: to be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact please contact Michael Ngoasong (Professor of Entrepreneurship) at michael.ngoasong@york.ac.uk. 

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork