Research Associate

Department
The Department of Environment and Geography is seeking a Post-Doctoral Research Associate to work on the TERRASAFE project: TErrestrial Resilience and RestorAtion Strategies for (semi-) Arid and Fragile Ecosystems through a multi-actor approach, co-funded by the European Commission. The Project Coordinator is based at the University of Aveiro, Portugal and TERRASAFE is working in multiple pilot areas in Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Romania and Tunisia.

This post is linked to Work Package (WP) 2: Multi-actor engagement in a participatory approach and is based at the University of York, UK which leads the work package.

The successful candidate will be part of a supportive and community-oriented department that has a strong commitment to upholding our core values (embracing diversity, making a positive difference, environmental sustainability, being friendly and helpful, and always learning). The department is proud to hold an Athena Swan Silver Award.

Role
The role will support the York-based Principal Investigator and Work Package leader, Professor Lindsay Stringer, in developing and delivering on research tasks and outputs in TERRASAFE WP2 and contributing to other TERRASAFE work packages.

A mixed-methods approach is envisaged including stakeholder analysis, workshops, interviews, focus groups, scenario planning and backcasting, feasibility assessment, participatory monitoring and evaluation, literature review and participatory video. The postholder will contribute to reports and papers, as well as project milestones and deliverables.

Key duties are to:

• Conduct research under the supervision of senior colleagues and to contribute to the production of research.
• Assist in the identification and development of potential areas of research and the development of proposals for independent or collaborative research projects.

This post is available at 100% FTE on a fixed-term contract. Flexible working patterns and job sharing opportunities will be considered.

Qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience needed

• A first degree and a PhD in Geography, Environmental Management, Sustainability or similar, or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of stakeholder engagement and multi-actor approaches to tackle land degradation and desertification; a range of research techniques and methodologies; dryland socio-ecological systems in Europe/ North Africa; relevant software for qualitative data analysis; and participatory monitoring, evaluation and learning methods.
• Highly developed communication skills to engage effectively with wide-ranging audiences; an ability to publish in academic journals, develop and conduct individual and collaborative research, make presentations at conferences, use qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis, identify and secure research funding, and manage large datasets.
• Experience in undertaking and publishing independent and collaborative research, undertaking fieldwork and stakeholder engagement, and working in different European country contexts.

For informal enquiries: please contact Professor Lindsay Stringer: lindsay.stringer@york.ac.uk.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

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