A new four year post-doctoral post is available to work with Professor Kevin Gaston, Lewis, Becca and Jo on the RENEW project investigating key questions about the variation in and temporal dynamics of people’s relationships with nature, and their consequences.

The role

The post entails data collection and analysis to address key questions about the variation in and temporal
dynamics of people’s relationships with nature, and their consequences.

The successfull candidate will join the RENEW project “Renewing biodiversity through a people-in-nature approach (RENEW)”. RENEW seeks to develop solutions to one of the major environmental challenges for humankind, the renewal of biodiversity. It is funded by NERC and involves 33 project partners. The programme includes academics and partners across environmental sciences, data science, environmental intelligence, social sciences, politics, humanities, business and economics. This post will contribute to delivery of Theme 1, which focusses on better understanding the determinants, patterns, and consequences of individuals’ engagement with nature in order to improve the effectiveness of the methods used by many environmental organisations to develop public support for biodiversity renewal.

About you

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in ecology and/or human-nature relationships, and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required. Applicants should have prior experience of working with large environmental and/or social datasets and should have proficiency in statistical analysis.

The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

Attainments/Qualifications:

• PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study.

Skills and Understanding:

• Possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop/follow research programmes and methodologies.
• Record of research output in high quality publications.
• Proficiency with statistical analysis.

Prior Experience:

• Experience of managing research projects and research teams.
• Use of large environmental and/or social datasets.

Behavioural Characteristics:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of groups.
• Evidence of the ability to collaborate actively within the Institution and externally to complete research projects and advance thinking.
• Able to participate in and develop external networks.
• Able to balance the pressures of research, administrative demands and competing deadlines.
• An understanding of the importance of equality and diversity within an organisation and a commitment to helping create an inclusive culture.

The starting salary for this full time role will be from £36,382 on Grade F and will be based at our Cornwall campuses. This post may offer the opportunity for hybrid working – some time from campus and some time from home.

If you have any questions about the role please contact Professor K.J. Gaston, email k.j.gaston@benedictwheeler

Application closing date is 12/06/2022

To apply visit the University of Exeter recruitment pages for the role or search job reference P81941