JENKINS CHAIR AND DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE FOR CLEAN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES (CEET)

Salary: Negotiable

Job Reference: 110813

Location: Liverpool

Hours of work: Full-time - Permanent

Complete application must be submitted by 19 June 2026.

The University of Liverpool is seeking to appoint an outstanding and internationally recognised academic leader to serve as the inaugural Jenkins Chair and founding Director of the Centre for Clean Energy and Environmental Technologies (CEET). This flagship appointment will position the University at the forefront of the UK’s transition to Net Zero, clean growth, and environmental sustainability, with the Director shaping an ambitious vision aligned to national priorities and major funding opportunities, including UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

The University of Liverpool provides a distinctive platform for this ambition, combining interdisciplinary research strengths with major investments in facilities including the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy (SIRE) and Chadwick Institute for Nuclear Innovation, both integral to CEET, alongside the Materials Innovation Factory (MIF) and Digital Innovation Facility (DIF). Our Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Clean Energy include leadership of Net Zero Maritime Energy Solutions (N0MES), Radiation Protection, Nuclear Safety & Environmental Sustainability (RAPTOR) and Digital & Automated Materials Chemistry CDT, and partnership in Skills and Training Underpinning a Renaissance in Nuclear (SATURN), Fusion Power CDT and the Fusion Engineering CDT. Located in the Liverpool City Region, a growing hub for offshore wind, hydrogen, nuclear and industrial decarbonisation, the University offers exceptional opportunities for place-based collaboration and impact.

The Director will provide strategic leadership across the University’s Clean Energy portfolio spanning research, innovation and skills. This is a unique opportunity to establish and lead a world-leading centre addressing global challenges in clean energy, environmental sustainability, and resilience.

CEET will bring together the University’s existing activity to deliver a coherent, high-impact portfolio across:

• Renewable energy: photovoltaics, battery and energy storage, fuel cells, and electrolyser technologies.
• Nuclear energy: fission and fusion, reactor design, materials under extreme environments, radiation science.
• Sustainability and decarbonisation: hydrogen, carbon capture, utilisation and storage, catalysis and sustainable feedstocks, thermal and heat technologies.
• Infrastructure and Resilience: energy systems and networks supply chains, buildings and cities.
• Energy policy, environment and society: coastal and near shore energy, climate change, environmental impacts, health, and policy.

The Director will lead a long-term, cross-disciplinary strategy to build a globally competitive and financially sustainable portfolio. Acting as the University’s primary interface with the Clean Energy sector, the Director will work in partnership with academic leaders across the University and engage extensively with industry, government, funders, regulators, and international stakeholders.

Alongside this leadership role, the post-holder will maintain an active, internationally recognised research portfolio through the inaugural Jenkins Professorial Chair appointment, to be hosted in a department relevant to their expertise.

Informal enquiries can be directed to Professor Laura Harkness, Pro Vice Chancellor and the Head of the Faculty of Science and Engineering ljh@liverpool.ac.uk

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to enhancing a workforce as diverse as our community and particularly encourage applicants who are of minoritised genders and ethnic backgrounds, living with a disability, and/or are members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

For full details and to apply online, please visit: https://recruit.liverpool.ac.uk