Associate Professor in Climate Change Ecology

The Department

The Department of Biosciences at Durham University seeks to appoint an Associate Professor with research and teaching interests broadly in the field of climate change ecology. The post is part of a significant and integrated University investment into the environmental and economic implications of ‘Just Transitions’ so we are particularly keen to hear from applicants with experience of macroecological modelling and interests in using theoretical or AI-based approaches to give biological focus to economic and legal instruments.

Our Department has around 50 academic staff and is ambitious and expanding, with an outstanding reputation in research, teaching, and student employability. Research is centred around four key themes: 1) ecology, evolution & environment, 2) animal cells & systems, 3) biomolecular interactions, and 4) molecular plant sciences (www.dur.ac.uk/biosciences/research/). There is a lively research culture with many visitors and events, and active and rewarding collaborations with other departments in Durham and with other scientists in the UK and internationally. We aim to provide an encouraging and friendly environment with a strong sense of community.

We also have a proud tradition of delivering research-led excellence in our undergraduate teaching. Attracting some of the best students in the UK, the Department’s teaching is regularly ranked among the best in its discipline (e.g. 5^th in the 2025 Complete University Guide 2025, 4^th in the most recent Guardian University Guide). As part of our expansion, we have launched a new MSc programme in Plant Biotechnology and are looking to develop further MSc programmes.

The Department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award. Athena SWAN is a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression and success for all in academia.

A strategic investment in Durham’s Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy: Just Transitions to a Net Zero World (JusTN0W)

Your research in our Department and University will contribute to strategically important research objectives as part of Durham’s internationally leading JusTN0W initiative (‘Just Transitions to a Net Zero World’), which is embedded in Durham’s Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy. (CSDLP). The CSDLP was founded in 2022 and operates as a research centre at the University level, with around 50 members from different disciplines.

The ambitious and interdisciplinary initiative JusTN0W is funded by a £5 million investment that will see seven academic staff appointed to lead Durham’s commitment to a better and fairer world in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. Our initiative brings together academic colleagues across Law, Economics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences to advance the knowledge and the implementation of just transitions to net zero at international, national and local levels. The work programme comprises four strands of work. Each strand sets forth a range of objectives, including grant capture activity and engagement with different partners. More information on JusTN0W can be found here (https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/csdlp/justn0w/).

You will be joining an interdisciplinary team of colleagues at an exciting moment where we are shaping and developing a cutting-edge research and impact agenda to attract sustainable research funding and leverage research capacity. We build on existing links into international governance frameworks such as the Conferences of Parties (COPs) under the umbrella of the international climate change regime. By collaborating and harnessing expertise across disciplines, the JusTN0W initiative will support your groundbreaking solutions to address the climate crisis.

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