Postdoctoral Research Assistant (111629-0726)

About The Role Informal Queries

• For informal queries, please contact Dr Hita Unnikrishnan, Assistant Professor - Institute for Global Sustainable Development, at Hita.Unnikrishnan@warwick.ac.uk.

Flexible Working

• We will consider applications for employment on a lower part-time or other flexible working basis (e.g. job share).

The Institute for Global Sustainable Development at the University of Warwick is recruiting a postdoctoral research assistant to undertake research to support the work of the British Academy funded Building Resilience through Equitable Action on Temperature, Heat, and indoor Emissions (BREATHE) research project.

The key duties of the PDRA will be to assist the Principal Investigator to develop scientific publications related to project research, undertake some administrative duties, and, where appropriate, assist and collaborate with other project collaborators in the successful execution of the project.

Building Resilience through Equitable Action on Temperature, Heat, and indoor Emissions (BREATHE) is a two-year research project led by Dr. Hita Unnikrishnan at The University of Warwick, and co-led by Dr. Lavanya Suresh (BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus), Dr. Manik Gupta (BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus), and Dr. Deepshikha Batheja (One Health Trust).

BREATHE investigates how historical and intersectional inequalities influence differential experiences of heat stress and indoor air pollution (IAP) among members of peri-urban households within the global south. It works with the hypothesis that women and vulnerable members of traditionally patriarchal households are likely to experience intensified effects of heat stress and IAP than their male counterparts. This inequality in lived experiences, we argue, is due to intersections between patriarchal norms that transform households into secondary gendered spaces of production, perpetuation of colonial architectural ideals, and usage of unclean cooking fuels within these homes.

Interdisciplinary BREATHE investigates this intersection for the very first time by combining historical research with large household surveys, satellite data analysis and machine learning models in two heat stressed, peri-urban regions of south Indian Karnataka (Bidar, Chikkaballapur districts). Working with different stakeholders in these regions, BREATHE will both facilitate and autoethnographically analyze processes and barriers to co-creating equitable climate futures.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of the funding, the project cannot provide sponsorship for a visa granting entitlement to work in the UK and so the role is open only to those with an existing right to work in the UK.

About You The project seeks a researcher with a developing profile; experience of archival work, preferably in south Asian contexts and an ability to engage in primary data collection, design appropriate analyses, and interpret and present results for dissemination.

Preference will be given to scholars working at the intersection of environmental history, political ecology, climate change, and resilience. Familiarity with global south contexts (particularly India) will be preferred.

Experience or interest in podcasting, mapping, and webpage design would be an advantage.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below. About The Department The Institute for Global Sustainable Development (IGSD) was established in 2016 with the aim 'to become a leader in interdisciplinary research' and 'a catalyst and partner for regional, national and international development and sustainability'.

It consists of a community of researchers, across and beyond the University, aiming to pro-actively pioneer, through research, education, practice, and engagement, sustainable futures for planetary well-being.

Building Resilience through Equitable Action on Temperature, Heat, and indoor Emissions (BREATHE) is a two-year research project led by Dr. Hita Unnikrishnan, a member of the Institute’s staff and co-led by Dr. Lavanya Suresh (BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus), Dr. Manik Gupta (BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus), and Dr. Deepshikha Batheja (One Health Trust).

BREATHE investigates how historical and intersectional inequalities influence differential experiences of heat stress and indoor air pollution (IAP) among members of peri-urban households within the global south. It works with the hypothesis that women and vulnerable members of traditionally patriarchal households are likely to experience intensified effects of heat stress and IAP than their male counterparts. This inequality in lived experiences, we argue, is due to intersections between patriarchal norms that transform households into secondary gendered spaces of production, perpetuation of colonial architectural ideals, and usage of unclean cooking fuels within these homes.

Interdisciplinary BREATHE investigates this intersection for the very first time by combining historical research with large household surveys, satellite data analysis and machine learning models in two heat stressed, peri-urban regions of south Indian Karnataka (Bidar, Chikkaballapur districts). Working with different stakeholders in these regions, BREATHE will both facilitate and autoethnographically analyze processes and barriers to co-creating equitable climate futures.

About The University We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 74th in the world and 9th in the UK. * Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent .**

Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.

• World University Ranking 2026, Complete University Guide 2026
• Research Excellence Framework 2021

How to Apply

Closing Deadline: Thursday 23 July 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)* To apply, please click APPLY below and submit an application form by the closing deadline.

You will be asked to include a CV and Cover Letter. These documents should:

• Outline employment and education history (including your most recent employment).
• Demonstrate how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the Job Description using clear examples.

Please ensure your application clearly evidences the essential criteria, as the hiring panel may not be able to shortlist your application if these are not demonstrated.**

• Interview Date: To be confirmed
• Start Date: As soon as possible
• Applications must be submitted through the warwick-careers.tal.net portal before the closing deadline. We recommend completing your application form in good time, as the advert will automatically close at the deadline.
• You are welcome to include any career breaks, such as parental leave, caring responsibilities, or long-term sickness absence. For guidance on how to format a cover letter, see here.

What we Offer

We Provide a Comprehensive Range Of Benefits, Including

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements.

Where possible, we offer hybrid working arrangements that combine office-based and remote working. Opportunities for hybrid working will depend on the requirements of the role, business needs of the department and can be discussed during the recruitment process.

For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Equality, Diversity, &​ Inclusion Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.

Find out more about our awards and accreditations.

We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding &​ DBS The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.

• Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
• The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
• All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.

Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.

Job Description JD - Postdoctoral Research Assistant (111629).pdf – 142KB Opens in a new window

Right to Work in the UK

If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.