Research Assistant or Fellow in Economic Valuation of Coastal Zone Environments

Fixed Term Contract until 31 July 2025

Research Assistant (if close to completing PhD): £34,450 per annum

Research Fellow (if PhD obtained): £37,337 to £39,316 per annum

We welcome applications from passionate individuals to contribute to our research on the economics of coastal ecosystems.

About the Role

The Cranfield Environment Centre at Cranfield University is looking for an enthusiastic and talented post-doctoral research fellow to work on an exciting NERC project called “Resilient coasts: optimising co-benefit solutions (Co-Opt)”, being funded under NERC’s Sustainable Management of UK Marine Resources programme. 

The coast is a dynamic zone where the sea and communities interact, bringing both benefits and risks. Over 1.8 million homes in England are at risk from coastal flooding and erosion, threats that will intensify with climate change. To address this, nature-based solutions, such as coastal habitats and wetlands, are increasingly needed. You will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team and stakeholders to develop an economic modeling framework to assess the costs and benefits of nature-based coastal defenses. This framework will be applied to case studies, guiding sustainable coastal management and highlighting ecosystem services' role. 

About You

Ideally, you will be educated to doctoral level in a relevant subject in applying economic analysis in land use or ecosystem services valuation, with demonstrable applied experience in environmental economics and quantitative economic research. You will be motivated to use existing economic models and develop new quantitative economic modelling tools to assess coastal zone management options. Excellent modelling skills, particularly in Excel, will be needed. Preferably, you will have some experience of applying social science methods, to support development of questionnaires, undertake qualitative interviews, and run stakeholder workshops, in order to investigate how social perceptions, support, and concerns might vary between grey and green coastal management options. You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply                                     

For an informal discussion, please contact either: Dr Anil Graves, (a.graves@cranfield.ac.uk); or Dr Simon Jude, (s.jude@cranfield.ac.uk)

To apply please click above 'Apply' Button". For further details please contact peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk and quote 4914.

Closing date: 2 October 2024

Advert information