Working with Professor Peter Pearson, the co-Principal Investigator of the 'Realising Transition Pathways' research consortium project funded by EPSRC, this interdisciplinary project has partners at 9 major universities. The project builds on the previous 'Transition Pathways to a Low-Carbon Economy' research consortium project funded by EPSRC and E.ON UK (see www.lowcarbonpathways.org.uk) and explores the engineering, technical, social, environmental, political, economic and historical influences on the realisation of pathways to a low carbon electricity system in the UK.

The position focuses mainly on the 'Insights from Historical Transitions' work package of the project and its implications for the development of future low carbon transition pathways. The work package will develop insights from the analysis of past transitions in electricity and other utilities, in the UK and selected other European and Scandinavian countries. It will examine how particular transitions were influenced by the dominant governance mode and actors' choices around key 'branching points' on a pathway. It aims to compare transition experiences and branching points in previous recession and growth periods, to see how changing socioeconomic conditions and the interplay between energy policy and wider economic objectives influenced choices and outcomes.

This will require knowledge of current research relevant to the analysis of past and prospective energy transitions and their energy and environmental policy implication and a broad understanding of relevant statistical concepts, indicators and analytical approaches, and of appropriate qualitative research methods.

For more information please go here. The closing date is the 10^th October 2012.