Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Faculty of Environment, Science & Economy

This new full-time post is available immediately on a fixed term basis until 9th August 2024. Interviews are likely to take place on 17th January.

The role 

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to participate in The Sustainable Development and Resilience of Coastal Communities in the UK project. This UKRI Strategic Priority Fund on Sustainable Management of UK Marine Resources funded post is available immediately. The successful applicant will lead the research undertaken under work package one which examines contemporary responses to environmental, regulatory and socio-cultural change by resource users across marine sectors in the Southwest UK, and investigates how to improve resilience, wellbeing and environmental sustainability within our current context. This post will include a focus on inventorying and analysing existing on-the-ground interventions which aim to improve one or more of these three objectives: resilience, wellbeing and/or environmental sustainability. The successful applicant will also input into work package two (past responses) and three (future responses).  

The post will include: 

•  Planning and facilitating workshops with diverse marine stakeholders, including resource-users, industry, third sector, and government stakeholders. 
• Collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative primary data through workshops, interviews and surveys. 
• Supporting an evidence synthesis through desk-top review, coding and mapping of existing research. 

• Leading scientific publications and conference presentations. 
• Leading and contributing to development of other project outputs including policy briefs, web content, presentations and project reports.  
• Initiating stakeholder and public engagement activities to promote sharing and uptake of project outputs and enhancing research impact. 
• Pro-actively engaging with the SMMR-Net and wider programme. 

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 marine or environmental social science and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. 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. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required.  

Specifically, applicants will be able to: 

• Communicate effectively with stakeholders from fishers to national policy-makers. 

• Provide theoretical and conceptual input into research on the relationships among social-ecological resilience, human well-being and environmental sustainability. 
• Confidently collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data. 

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 multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a new Fertility Treatment Policy 
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Cornwall 

The University of Exeter  

The University of Exeter is a Russell Group university in the top 200 of universities worldwide. We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, and have achieved a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2017. We have over 22,000 students and 4600 staff from 180 different countries and have been rated the WhatUni2017 International Student Choice. Our research focuses on some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today, with 98% of our research rated as being of international quality in the 2014 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. 

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment 

With over 27,000 students and 6,400 staff from 180 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), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces. 

For further information please contact Dr Rachel Turner, e-mail [email protected].