Applied Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Nature Based Carbon Offsetting

Faculty of Science and Engineering  

The Good Growth Entrepreneurial Futures project is an exciting new partnership project funded through new Cornwall & Isles of Scilly (IoS) Good Growth Fund. The project brings together HE (Higher Education) and FE (Further Education) in Cornwall to work with businesses to deliver an extensive programme of Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) led growth activities to drive productivity increased in the region. 

Working with the University of Exeter, University of Falmouth and Cornwall College, the University of Plymouth is delivering research-led growth projects for clean energy, net-zero, agri-food, immersive technologies and coastal communities. This post is one of three which will be delivering the net-zero aspect of this project, focussed on Nature Based Solutions Carbon Offsetting. 

You will have the added benefit of working closely with the new Great-South-West Net-Zero Exchange (NZX) team to engage with other university academics, drive impact, connect partners, create opportunities and generate value from leading-edge research and education in Cornwall & the IoS. 

Associated with the University’s Sustainable Earth Institute and likely to be located in the University’s newly refurbished Sustainability Hub (remote working is encouraged), some key duties include (in no particular order of importance): 

• Produce an opportunities map, assessing carbon offset potential of natural habitats in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly
• Identify opportunities to engage with Cornwall & IoS companies to quantify and validate nature-based carbon offsets (e.g. consultants, landowners, organisations looking to offset)
• Working in collaboration with academic colleagues researching nature-based climate solutions
• Calculation of above and below ground carbon stocks using literature values
• Contribute to the production of a collaborative research report and peer-reviewed publication. 

You must have excellent working knowledge and experience of net-zero carbon in either an academic or applied industry context and research or industry experience in a specific discipline related to carbon offsetting, experience of processing data sets and data acquisition. 

Please demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.  

Please note – UK Shared Prosperity Fund – this project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Cornwall Council has been chosen by Government as the Lead Authority for the fund and is responsible for monitoring the progress of projects funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. 

Please note that the post is dependent on finalising the Good Growth funding contract. 

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Paul Lunt or Scott Davidson by email at [email protected] or [email protected]  

Closing date: 12 midnight, Sunday 17th March 2024 

Interviews are likely to take place week commencing Monday 25th March 2024 and you will be notified if you have been shortlisted or not. 

This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week on a fixed-term basis ending Monday 31st March 2025 subject to Funding.  Please note – due to the fixed term nature of this post, the successful applicant will need to be able to commence employment as soon as possible after offer. 

Flexible working options including job share will be considered. 

We offer a competitive salary package and a generous pension and holiday scheme. We also offer a range of other benefits, including ongoing development opportunities. A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed here . 

The University of Plymouth has a strong interdisciplinary research ethos which is supported by our three strategic Research Institutes; the Marine Institute, the Sustainable Earth Institute, and the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research. As a member of our academic community, you’ll be expected to contribute to our recognised research strengths. Working holistically across the University, you will be challenged to innovate, collaborate and deliver impactful research contributions as part of a systems thinking approach to addressing today’s global challenges. 

The University of Plymouth is a diverse, welcoming community where everyone makes a difference and is encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. To find out more about our inclusive community, initiatives such as Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter and our range of benefits / support mechanisms such as flexible working, staff networks and enhanced maternity, paternity & adoption leave please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages . 

We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups such as BAME/BIPOC and LGBT+.