Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow in Environment & Economic Analysis

Faculty of Environment, Science & Economy

Business School – Land, Environment, Economics and Policy Institute

This full-time post is available from 1 February 2024 (or nearest possible date) on a fixed term basis until 31 July 2025, with good possibility of extension. The main purpose of the posts is to conduct applied research to translate academic science into environmental, economic and social benefits.

The post

The LEEP ethos recognises the connections within and across both the environment and economy and the links between these systems. Our highly interdisciplinary team includes expertise from a range of research backgrounds including Economics, Data sciences, Geospatial analysis, Policy analysis, Maths and Statistics, Environmental and Conservation sciences. Furthermore, we collaborate with an even wider array of disciplines. We are interested in both deepening and broadening our skill base. 

We are seeking researchers excited by the prospect of using quantitative methods to develop evidence, analyses and tools that address the major environmental challenges facing humanity in the 21st Century including: climate change; biodiversity loss and environmental pollution.

You will join a team actively working in this domain with research themes that include: the trade-offs between land use, food and the environment; landscape portfolio optimisation; use of remote sensing data to build and calibrate models and tools; the incorporation of complexities such as risk; emulation of complex models to deliver real-time decision analysis; development of decision support systems; environment related welfare and distribution challenges including access to high quality environments; and many others. You will collaborate with the LEEP team in delivering research outputs in these themes and have the opportunity to develop your own research in these or related areas.

About you

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.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD (or nearing completion) or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in a related subject area 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.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment.

LEEP

The LEEP Institute is a thriving research centre committed to devising evidence-led solutions to the major environmental, economic and wellbeing challenges facing humanity. LEEP has over 50 members and maintains partnerships with leading researchers and institutes worldwide. It contributes to leading research in integrated environment-economy modelling, environmental resource management, environmental valuation, biodiversity analysis and economics, natural capital accounting, sustainability, and related policy and decision making (see example work below). Alongside its international academic profile, LEEP also has an extremely strong track record of working with government and business delivering substantial impact in terms of enhancing the incorporation of the environment within decision making.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career

• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Polijobs World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024).  We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today.  More than 99% of our research is of international quality and 47% is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

Further Information

For further information please contact Ian Bateman, e-mail [email protected] . or

Interviews are expected to take place on 18 January 2024.