PEATSENSE Senior Research Associate - (Latin America)

www.jobs.ac.uk - Jobboard; Bristol; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a pioneering research team focused on climate governance and environmental justice in Latin American peatlands. This role offers a vibrant intellectual environment and the chance to lead innovative research while engaging with diverse stakeholders. You'll conduct high-quality qualitative research, develop participatory methods, and contribute to impactful publications. If you're passionate about environmental governance and committed to ethical research practices, this opportunity is perfect for you. Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team and shape inclusive climate futures through transformative research.

Benefits

Career Development Opportunities

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Engagement with International Networks

Contributions to Academic Publications

Qualifications

• PhD in relevant field or equivalent experience required.
• Strong track record in qualitative or mixed-method research.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent, high-quality qualitative research.
• Lead project work packages and manage fieldwork.
• Produce impactful outputs including research and policy briefs.

Skills

Qualitative Research

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Spanish Fluency

Gaelic Familiarity

Education

PhD in Human Geography

PhD in Political Ecology

PhD in Environmental Humanities

Equivalent Professional Experience

Job description

Diverse Knowledge Ecologies and Sensing Practices in Latin American Peatlands

Join the forefront of interdisciplinary research on climate governance, knowledge politics, and environmental justice in peatlands as part of the pioneering ERC-funded PEATSENSE project team. We're seeking two dynamic Senior Research Associates who are driven by intellectual curiosity and committed to shaping inclusive climate futures through transformative research in the social sciences and environmental humanities.

Investigate the emerging recognition of peatlands as critical sites of climate mitigation in specific regions in Latin America. Employ qualitative methodologies to explore the political ecology and sociocultural impacts of new governance models in regions such as the high Andeanpáramos[high moorlands] or Amazonianaguajales. You'll examine how global technologies, local knowledges, and climate policy intersect, critically analysing power dynamics and developing pathways toward inclusive governance.

What We Offer:

• A vibrant intellectual environment within the School of Geographical Sciences.
• Opportunity to lead cutting-edge research, co-design participatory methods, and engage with international networks.
• Career development through interdisciplinary collaboration, policy engagement, and knowledge exchange with diverse stakeholders.
• Contributions to academic publications, innovative policy reports, and impactful communication initiatives.

What will you be doing?

• Conducting independent, high-quality, field-based qualitative research.
• Leading specific project work packages and managing extended fieldwork periods.
• Developing ethical research practices and co-designing participatory methods with community organisations and stakeholders.
• Producing impactful outputs including peer-reviewed research, policy briefs, and engaging communication materials.
• Collaborating closely with interdisciplinary and international teams, supporting workshops, policy dialogues, and cross-case synthesis activities.

You should apply if

• You have a PhD in Human Geography, Anthropology, Political Ecology, the Environmental Humanities, Environmental History, or a closely related field or equivalent professional experience in the research area required.
• You have a strong and evidenced track record of conducting independent, qualitative (or mixed method) social-scientific research.
• You're passionate about environmental governance, political ecology, climate justice, or Indigenous and local environmental knowledge systems.
• You would like to work in an interdisciplinary team contributing toward policy and science communication outputs as well as high-quality academic publications.
• You can demonstrate excellent analytical and communication skills, including fluency in English and Spanish (Role 1), or familiarity with Gaelic and/or relevant cultural contexts (Role 2).
• You're committed to ethical, inclusive, and participatory research, and eager to contribute to transformative policy engagement.

For informal enquiries please contact: Naomi Millner, [e-mail]

Contract type: Open ended with fixed funding until 31/12/2029

Work pattern: Full time / or will consider 80% time

Grade: J/Pathway 2

This advert will closeat23:59 UK timeon23/06/2025

Interviews are anticipated to take place 8th-9th July 2025

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched ourstrategyto 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in aninclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential.We wantto attract, develop, and retain individualswith different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

£42,882 to £48,149 per annum