The Research Associate in Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology is a full-time, fixed-term research opportunity at Imperial College London, one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities. This Research Associate role is based within the School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, and is funded by the Wellcome Trustunder the Climate Change Resilient Equitable Healthy Cities in Africa (CLARITY-Africa) Programme. The position focuses on assessing heat exposure and its health impacts among outdoor workers in Ghana and Rwanda, contributing directly to climate change adaptation research in Sub-Saharan Africa.
This Research Associate in Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology role is ideal for early-career researchers with strong training in environmental health, exposure science, or epidemiology who are interested in applied, interdisciplinary, and international research addressing climate-related health inequalities.
Background and Overview of the Research Associate Opportunity
The Research Associate position is embedded in the CLARITY-Africa Programme, a large-scale research initiative that identifies, implements, and evaluates equitable and sustainable climate adaptation measures in African cities. The programme specifically examines the impacts of heat and changing precipitation patterns on vulnerable populations, including outdoor workers, school children, and urban communities.
As a Research Associate in Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, the post holder will assess heat exposure and associated physiological, biological, and cognitive responses among outdoor workers, with a focus on market workers in Accra, Ghana, and construction workers in Kigali, Rwanda. The role also evaluates adaptation strategies aimed at reducing health risks associated with climate change.
The position is hosted at Imperial College London’s White City Campus, with a hybrid working arrangement, and involves close collaboration with partners such as the University of Ghana, AIMS Rwanda, and other international research organisations.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply
The Research Associate in Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology position has clearly defined eligibility requirements.
Educational Qualifications
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- Hold a PhD in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Health, Environmental Epidemiology, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related discipline.
- Possess equivalent research, industrial, or commercial experience in a relevant field.
Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD may be appointed at the Research Assistant level until the PhD is confirmed.
Experience Requirements
Essential experience includes:
- Demonstrated experience in developing independent research projects related to environmental exposures and health.
- Experience in communicating effectively with study participants, stakeholders, and research sponsors.
- Practical experience with methodological techniques such as exposure measurements, physiological monitoring, surveys, questionnaires, and statistical analyses.
- Experience in organising, cleaning, managing, and analysing large datasets.
- Strong background in environmental health or epidemiological research.
Desirable experience includes:
- Conducting research in occupational settings.
- Fieldwork and data collection experience in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Knowledge of physiological measurement campaigns, including body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure monitoring.
- Knowledge of questionnaire and survey design for collecting exposure and outcome data.
- Understanding of areas such as climate change adaptation, heat stress, environmental epidemiology, or intervention evaluation.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, suitable for academic publication.
- Ability to work independently, manage deadlines, and collaborate within multidisciplinary international teams.
- Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally, and to work flexible hours when required by the project.
There are no nationality restrictions stated for this Research Associate role. Researchers from any country who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply.
Program Details: Structure, Location, Duration, and Salary
The Research Associate in Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology role has the following structure and conditions:
- Employer: Imperial College London
- Faculty: Faculty of Medicine
- Department: School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics
- Job Family/Level: Research Job Family – Research Associate
- Location: White City Campus, London (Hybrid working)
- Contract Type: Full-time, fixed-term
- Duration: 24 months
- Working Hours: 35 hours per week
Salary and Benefits
- Salary Range: £49,017 – £57,472 per annum
- Benefits Include:
- Up to 41 days of annual leave per year
- Generous pension schemes
- Sector-leading career development and promotion support
- Access to staff wellbeing resources and inclusive staff networks
The role reports to Dr Daniela Fecht and works closely with Professor Majid Ezzati and researchers within the MRC Centre for Environment and Health.
Key Responsibilities of the Research Associate
The Research Associate will:
- Plan and conduct environmental and physiological measurement campaigns in Accra and Kigali.
- Assess heat exposure and biological and cognitive responses among outdoor workers.
- Develop and administer questionnaires and perform appropriate statistical analyses.
- Manage and analyse high-dimensional environmental health data.
- Contribute to knowledge co-creation workshops with communities and stakeholders in Ghana and Rwanda.
- Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.
- Contribute to research grant applications and reports to funders.
- Support supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students where required.
Application Process: How to Apply
Interested candidates must apply online through Imperial College London’s official jobs portal. Applicants are expected to submit all required documents as specified on the portal, which typically include a CV and supporting statements aligned with the role’s requirements.
For role-specific enquiries, applicants may contact:
- Professor Majid Ezzati – Mail address
Important Dates and Deadline
- Job Reference Number: MED05542
- Posting End Date / Application Deadline: 11 January 2026
Early application is encouraged, as applications close automatically after the deadline.
The Research Associate in Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology at Imperial College London offers a unique opportunity to contribute to Wellcome Trust–funded climate and health research in Africa. Through the CLARITY-Africa Programme, this Research Associate role combines rigorous exposure science, environmental epidemiology, and community-engaged research to address the health impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations. For researchers seeking a high-impact, international, and interdisciplinary position, this Research Associate opportunity represents a significant career step.