Research Fellow in Low Carbon Home Performance (fixed term)

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is a distinctive, unique institution, rooted in the Liverpool City Region and with a global presence. Our students and staff, past, present, and future, are the beating heart of our city and can be found in every corner of every industry and community. We couldn’t exist anywhere else and have shaped the city in which we belong. Working with the people of Liverpool to improve lives and support communities is at the heart of why we were founded and why we exist today.

The Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science is a pioneering Faculty, dedicated to creating and communicating knowledge and opportunities to ensure that all of our students can excel within their chosen discipline.

The School of Engineering and Built Environment is a vibrant community that welcomes bright individuals and creative thinkers. The school also has an impressive research portfolio, strong partnerships with industry leaders and first-rate facilities.

We are looking to recruit a Research Fellow in Low Carbon Home Performance in our School of Engineering and Built Environment.

You will work with Dr Hu Du on a consultancy project to advance sustainable housing solutions for a net-zero future. Key deliverables include performance evaluations, financial modelling, and the development of best practices leveraging emerging technologies like on-premise AI-driven analytics and digital twins.

You will play a key role in translating research findings into practical guidance which informs the large-scale new build housing programmes in the region, and help housing associations cost-effectively transform the “regulatory burden” into actionable and scalable solutions and reduce carbon emissions in residential buildings.

You will have a PhD or equivalent experience in parametric building performance modelling, non-intrusive load detection, low carbon building technologies or similar field. Specific duties includes:

• Delivery a consultancy project related to the performance evaluation of net-zero housing development.
• Perform parametric building performance modelling.
• Conduct non-intrusive load detection data analysis and reporting.
• Conduct financial modelling (carbon analysis, cost-benefit assessment) and economic analysis of low-carbon technologies for domestic buildings.
• Conduct site visits for performance evaluation data collection.
• Produce high-quality technical reports, training materials, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade as deemed necessary by the line manager.

This is a 9-month fixed term full-time position, and available from 20 January 2026. Informal enquiries are welcome to Dr Hu Du via email: h.du@ljmu.ac.uk.

Other duties as a research fellow at LJMU includes:

• Develop research objectives, projects and proposals and conduct individual or collaborative research projects.
• Contribute to the development of new models, techniques and methods.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding. 
• Assist with the planning, coordination and implementation research projects.  Manage research resources and budgets and ensure effective use is made of them.
• Analyse and interpret data, prepare and submit papers for presentation at regional, national or international conferences and for publication in peer review journals.
• Give presentations and/or contribute to presentations at national and/or international conferences or exhibit work in other appropriate events.
• Ensure that research is conducted to appropriate ethical and governance standards as defined by the University.
• Use due diligence in the management, protection and exploitation of intellectual property owned by the University and/or the external commercial partner.
• Identify potential sources of funding and contribute to the process of securing funds.
• Liaise with the relevant external research community via seminars and conferences.
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of commercial and consultancy activities.
• Engage with and participate in the University's appraisal process.
• LJMU are committed to adhering to the Principles set out in the Researcher Development Concordat; in line with this all fixed-term researchers will be supported to complete 10 days professional development activities per year (pro-rata).

If you feel that this is the role you have been looking for and your skills and experience can make a real difference at LJMU, we look forward to hearing from you.

The Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science is committed to promoting equality and diversity, including the Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter for promoting the career of Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) in higher education. We particularly welcome applications from women for this post and all appointments will be made on merit. Please let us know if you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.

Please note all of our vacancies will be closed to applications at midnight on the advertised closing date, unless otherwise stated.

LJMU are committed to adhering to the Principles set out in the Researcher Development Concordat; in line with this all fixed-term researchers will be supported to complete 10 days professional development activities per year (pro-rata).