Postdoctoral Research Associate

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

This new part time (0.4FTE) post is available from 1 April 2024 on a fixed term basis until 31 March 2025. This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working – some time on campus and some from home.

Summary of the role

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the work of Dr Ewan Woodley, Dr Laura Smith and Professor Henry French. This ESRC-funded post is available from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. The successful applicant will undertake research, collaboration and analysis to assist in delivering the objectives of the Developing robust understandings of inter-generational place attachment to enhance the management of large lowland estates at the periphery project, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The role will require:

• working with University of Exeter and National Trust (NT) colleagues to deliver an impact-facing programme of collaborative research to enhance understanding of young people’s environmental engagement and place attachment at a large National Trust site (Kingston Lacy) in Dorset.

Research aim

To use oral history methodologies and on-site engagement with local publics to develop robust understandings of inter-generational place attachment at Kingston Lacy to enhance the sustainability, accessibility and effective management of lowland estates. 

Objectives

About you

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD (or be nearing completion) or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline to work within established research programmes.

The successful applicant will be able to:

• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of research methods and techniques in the environmental social sciences and humanities to complete project aims and objectives;
• Communicate material of a specialist or highly technical nature
• Present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.
• Build contacts, liaise effectively with colleagues and participate in internal and external networks for the exchange of information and collaboration.
• Manage research and administrative activities and to balance the competing pressures of research and administrative demands and deadlines.
• Engage in continuous professional development.
• Understand equal opportunity issues as they may impact on areas of research content
• Demonstrate a willingness to undergo training in order to conduct/contribute to risk and ethics assessments and to undergo a DBS check in order to work with young people.

• Show an understanding of the importance of equality and diversity within an organisation and a commitment to helping create an inclusive culture.
• Work flexibly to achieve project demands.

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

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 (Times Higher Education 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 Dr Ewan Woodley, Associate Professor of Geography,  e-mail [email protected] or telephone (01392) 725075.

This role may be subject to additional background screening.