Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Nationaltrustjobs; Swindon; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Part time

Job summary

The National Trust is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join an interdisciplinary team focused on biodiversity renewal. The role involves conducting research, developing innovative solutions, and collaborating with various stakeholders, all rooted in empirical evidence. The position offers the flexibility of part-time work and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme up to 10% basic salary

Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest, and your children

Flexible working whenever possible

Employee assistance programme

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study.
• Specialist knowledge in research methodologies.
• Ability to balance research and administrative tasks.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary investigator to develop ExCASE missions and conduct research.
• Use mixed method approaches for data collection and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and influence decision-making.

Skills

Collaboration

Communication

Education

PhD or equivalent qualification

Job description

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Join to apply for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow role at National Trust

This range is provided by National Trust. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

We’re looking for two postdoctoral researchers to join an interdisciplinary team committed to advancing evidence-based societal decision-making that delivers meaningful outcomes for biodiversity renewal.

You’ll be part of ExCASES https://renewbiodiversity.org.uk/themes/theme-x2-excases/#:~:text=ExCASES%20is%20a%20solutions%20generator,on%20focused%20areas%20and%20topics, a dynamic, interdisciplinary research group within the https://renewbiodiversity.org.uk/ programme - a major NERC-funded initiative tackling the urgent challenge of biodiversity renewal.

This is a collaborative partnership between the National Trust and the University of Exeter, these are fixed term positions available from July 2025 to January 2027 (with possible extension).

We’re open to combining the fellowship with other secured funding and part time working.

What it's like to work here

Our goal is to develop innovative and impactful solutions that are grounded in diverse forms of knowledge and robust evidence, aligned with shared societal visions and goals, and responsive to the capacities and motivations of stakeholders to drive change.

In this role, you’ll work closely with colleagues from a range of disciplines to synthesise existing evidence, critically evaluate both established and emerging solutions (ecological, technical, social, or political) communicate these insights in ways that are targeted, accessible, and capable of influencing real-world outcomes.

Your contractual location will be our head office in Swindon and there will be an expectation for you to attend the office. However, there is flexibility on where you are based at other times. You will be required to work at a National Trust location for 40-60% of your working week, there are a number of hub offices located around England and Wales. This will be discussed in more detail at interview. The role will require occasional travel for stakeholder engagement and collaborative activities.

What you'll be doing

Reporting to Professor Matt Heard, National Trust and Dr Sarah Crowley, University of Exeter you’ll act as primary investigator to develop and conduct ExCASE missions.

This will include using structured, mixed method approaches to efficiently gather insights and wider perspectives, frame issues, assess weight of evidence, and articulate stakeholder priorities and concerns. You will work both individually and collaboratively to develop mission approaches and solution focused outcomes.

Examples of our work can be seen here https://renewbiodiversity.org.uk/themes/theme-x2-excases/#:~:text=ExCASES%20is%20a%20solutions%20generator,on%20focused%20areas%20and%20topics.

Emerging areas of strategic interest include advancing social-ecological innovation in wildlife and land management; scaling nature-based solutions for climate resilience, food systems, and public health; and strengthening governance, rights, and environmental justice.

We're also exploring the role of data, technology, and decision-support tools in conservation, alongside integrated approaches to landscape and ecosystem renewal. Specific themes under active discussion include the rights of nature, equitable access to biodiversity, and sustainable seafood systems.

Who we're looking for

We seek applications from cross-sectoral post-doctoral researchers from a range of backgrounds across the environmental sciences, data science, environmental intelligence, conservation science and social sciences who are interested in working within and beyond their own fields of research to solve the real-world challenges of biodiversity renewal.

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study

• Specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop/follow research programmes and methodologies

• A record of research output in high quality publications; able to balance research, admin and competing deadlines

• Ability to collaborate actively across the organisations and externally to complete research projects and advance thinking

• Written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of groups

• Ability to participate in and develop external networks

• An understanding of the importance of equality and diversity within an organisation and a commitment to helping create an inclusive culture

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Season ticket loan

• EV car lease scheme

• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts

• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Employee assistance programme

• Free parking at most Trust places

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Part-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research and Science

• Industries

  Non-profit Organizations

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