University of Cambridge Research Associate in Climate Governance (Department of Land Economy)

Reference: JP47395
Salary Range: £34,610 – £46,049 per annum
Contract Type: Fixed Term (18 months)
Application Deadline: 27 October 2025
Interview Dates: 17–19 November 2025

The University of Cambridge invites applications for a Research Associate in Climate Governance within the Department of Land Economy.

The successful candidate will contribute to an EU-funded project, Accelerating Climate Action: Navigating Towards a Low-Emissions, Resilient Future (ACCLIMATE), which aims to enhance integrated national and international strategies for climate-resilient, low-emission development. The project seeks to improve the transparency, consistency, and clarity of emission reduction commitments, while strengthening frameworks for assessing and advancing global mitigation efforts.

Project Context

The ACCLIMATE project operates through a global consortium of research institutions and national experts from the Americas, Asia, Europe, and West Africa.

By adopting a collaborative, bottom-up approach, the project identifies opportunities to enhance Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and long-term decarbonization strategies.

Together with the Vrije Universiteit Brussels, the University of Cambridge leads the work package on enhancing international cooperation. This involves:

Developing an assessment framework for mitigation commitments.
Evaluating the role of the Global Stocktake in shaping subsequent NDCs.
Analyzing the potential of international cooperative initiatives to improve policy effectiveness.
Examining the implications of EU climate measures for international governance and collaboration.

Role and Responsibilities

The Research Associate will support the implementation of the ACCLIMATE work programme and contribute to Cambridge’s leadership within the consortium.

Key responsibilities include:

Conducting empirical and theoretical research on European and international climate governance.
Designing and applying frameworks for assessing global mitigation commitments.
Evaluating policy coherence, international cooperation mechanisms, and the Global Stocktake process.
Supporting interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders.
Contributing to academic publications, policy briefs, and conference presentations that advance understanding of climate governance.

The appointee will work closely with Professor Harro van Asselt, project partners, and members of the Environmental Policy Research Team within the Department of Land Economy.

Candidate Profile

Applicants should hold, or be close to completing, a PhD in a social science discipline relevant to European and/or international climate change governance.

Candidates who have submitted their thesis but have not yet been awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistants, progressing to Research Associate status upon confirmation of the PhD.

Essential criteria include:

Strong research record or potential for high-impact publications.
Proven ability to conduct empirically grounded, interdisciplinary research.
Solid understanding of international climate policy processes and institutions.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Experience engaging with policymakers, NGOs, and research partners.
A collaborative and motivated approach aligned with the goals of the ACCLIMATE project.

Terms of Appointment

Duration: 18 months, fixed-term
Start Date: Early 2026 (by mutual agreement)
Location: Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge
Salary: £34,610 – £46,049 per annum (depending on qualifications and experience)

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to a major European initiative tackling one of the most critical challenges of our time — climate change governance.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted via the University of Cambridge online recruitment system.

Required documents:

Curriculum Vitae (maximum 4 pages), including publications list
Cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining research interests, experience, and suitability
Contact details of two referees (references will be requested after shortlisting)

Please quote Reference Number: JP47395 in all correspondence.

For informal inquiries, contact Professor Harro van Asselt at:
hva21@cam.ac.uk

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

The University of Cambridge is committed to equality of opportunity and values diversity. Applications are strongly encouraged from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups.

All appointments are made strictly on the basis of merit and in compliance with UK right-to-work and immigration regulations.

About the University

As one of the world’s leading research institutions, the University of Cambridge promotes excellence in teaching, discovery, and collaboration.

The Department of Land Economy integrates law, economics, and environmental policy, providing an outstanding environment for interdisciplinary research in sustainability, resource management, and global governance.

For More Information:
Visit the Official Job Portal of the University of Cambridge