Post-Doctoral Research Associate on ‘Nature-centric Catalyst’ Project

Join us on an exciting project to catalyse the transformation to nature-centric awareness and governance.

We seek a capable and motivated interdisciplinary researcher to work on a project to synthesize evidence for how we can create cultural transformation to dispel the delusion of our separation from nature. This will open new avenues to restore our relationship with nature and enable new governance approaches for a thriving natural world.

The researcher will work with a group of writers, social change practitioners and academics (from diverse disciplines including ecology, law, ethics and governance) to explore more successful ‘nature-centric’ ways to govern humanity. We are seeking to look beyond governance approaches that are based on a misplaced sense of human exceptionalism and, instead, are rooted in attitudes of deep care and reverence for nature.

To help make wiser governance approaches possible, we will synthesise diverse scientific and social-sciences research to piece together evidence-based developmental pathways that decenter human and embrace our reintegration into the web of life.

There is a public facing side to the project where we will refine ideas at convivial public dialogues, plus final exhibition where we will showcase how different sectors of society– from medicine to law to species conservation, are already being transformed by alternative human relationships with nature.

The Research Associate on this project will help plan and attend the academic working groups, synthesise literature in preparation, and help coordinate the public-facing events. They will build an exciting network of international contacts in this pioneering field and contributing to seminal publications, policy briefs and public outreach work. They will be based at University of Reading, the UK’s leading University for Environmental Sustainability (People and Planet Awards 2023).

Successful applicant will have:

• interdisciplinary background with a track record of synthesising academic literature
• strong desk-based research and writing skills
• PhD in relevant topic or equivalent evidence of attainment
• capability in co-ordinating public facing project

A wide range of contacts from policy, NGOs, businesses, personal consultants who are pioneering work in this area are involved in the project. E.g., members of working group include environmental policy organisations such as Defra and European Environment Agency (e.g. see EEAs Exiting the Anthropocene report), and think tanks that put concepts into practice such as Moral Imaginations who lead pilots on Interspecies Councils. The  working group also includes representatives from pioneering legal groups such as Lawyers for Nature, and value-driven sustainability consultancies such as Baringa.

Interviews date: 11th Oct 2024
Job start date: 1st Nov 2024

Contact Name Prof. Tom Oliver
Contact Job Title: Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research (Environment)
Contact Email address: t.oliver@reading.ac.uk

By reference to applicable SOC code, sponsorship may be possible under Skilled Worker Route.  Applicants wishing to consider SWR must ensure that they can meet the points requirement before applying. Successful candidates not already holding a Skilled Worker visa issued before 4th April 2024 will need to have relevant PhD qualification or qualify as a new entrant before being able to be sponsored. Further information - UK Visas and Immigration Website.

The University is committed to having diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs

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