Explore researcher profiles
Discover how researchers can use this framework to explore new directions, apply their skills, and plan for impactful careers beyond academia.
Whether you’re already working in a net zero-related field or exploring how your expertise could contribute to sustainability, these researcher profiles are here to support your career thinking.
They’re designed to help you:
- Recognise your transferable skills
- Identify areas for growth and development
- Plan your next steps using the framework
“Publishing papers was rewarding, but I kept asking myself- who is actually using this knowledge to make decisions? That’s when I knew I wanted to be part of shaping policy.”
Aisha is a 32-year-old postdoctoral researcher in chemical engineering at a UK university. Her work focuses on decarbonising industrial heat systems using novel carbon capture technologies. She is passionate about sustainability and deeply motivated to help translate research into policy.
“I spent years modelling the cost of waste and carbon. But I kept thinking – why not be part of redesigning those systems instead of just measuring their failure?”
Tom is a 33-year-old British postdoctoral researcher in environmental economics. His work has focused on modelling the socio-economic impacts of carbon pricing, waste taxes, and resource use in the UK. Over time, he’s become more drawn to the practical, systems-level design of circular economy solutions- from urban resource loops to extended producer responsibility.
“I loved working on soil microbes and carbon cycling, but the more I saw the urgency of climate impacts on vulnerable communities, the more I wanted to be part of the movement, not just publish about it.”
Elena is a 34-year-old postdoctoral researcher in environmental microbiology, originally from Brazil and now working in rural Scotland. Her research focuses on how soil microbial ecosystems respond to climate change and what this means for carbon storage and ecosystem resilience.
This framework helps researchers identify and develop the high-level transferable skills needed to contribute to net zero goals across sector. View online or download as an accessible PDF.
