Research Fellow in Evidence-based Conservation - (24 months Fixed term contract)

University of Brighton; Brighton; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Brighton is seeking a Research Fellow in Evidence-based Conservation for a 24-month fixed-term contract. This post, based in the School of Applied Sciences in Brighton, will coordinate a practitioner-led national review of conservation evidence needs across the UK and launch an online tool to identify and disseminate evidence priorities.

You will work with project leads and a network of conservation practitioners, designing training materials, facilitating workshops, and

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant discipline (completed or near completion).
• Demonstrable experience in applied conservation research and/or evidence-based decision-making, particularly in a UK context.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills with non-academic stakeholders.
• Proven project management skills coordinating with multiple partners.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate development of the national review online tool structure and hierarchy.
• Design high-quality training materials and guidance resources.
• Facilitate workshops and consultations with practitioners and advisory group members.
• Contribute to publications, reports and launch activities related to the national evidence review.

Skills

PhD-related competencies

Conservation research

Evidence-based decision making

Communication & facilitation

Project management

Education

PhD (completed or near completion)

Job description

Research Fellow in Evidence-based Conservation - (24 months Fixed term contract)

School of Applied Sciences

Location: Brighton - Moulsecoomb

Salary: £41,064 to £48,822per annum

ContractLength: 24 months

ClosingDate: Tuesday 06 October 2026

InterviewDate: To be confirmed

Reference: AP4053-26-184-R

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to coordinate the development of a practitioner-led National Review of Conservation Evidence Needs in the UK. This two-year Defra-funded position will result in the creation and launch of a dynamic online tool enabling conservation organisations and agencies to identify, collate, and disseminate their evidence needs in alignment with national nature recovery goals, drawing on strong creative and problem-solving skills to shape effective, practitioner-focused solutions.

The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the project leads,Dr Rachel White (University of Brighton) andDr Mark O'Connell (University of Gloucestershire), as well as a wide network of conservation practitioners, and the project's Advisory Group.

You will play a pivotal role in:

• Identifying and integrating the needs of UK conservation organisations and leading the co-design of the national evidence review online tool’s structure and hierarchy.
• Designing high-quality training materials and guidance resources to support organisations in identifying evidence needs and practitioners in engaging with the evidence review online tool.
• Facilitating workshops and consultations with practitioners and advisory group members.
• Contributing to publications, reports and launch activities associated with the National Review of Conservation Evidence Needs.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a transformative, nationally significant initiative that strengthens the interconnection between conservation research and practice.

In order to be successful in this post you will need to have:

• A PhD (completed or near completion) in a relevant discipline (e.g. conservation science, ecology, environmental management), or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrable experience in applied conservation research and/or evidence-based decision-making, particularly in a UK context.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, particularly with non-academic stakeholders.
• Proven project management skills, with experience coordinating with multiple partners.

This is a full-time, fixed-term position (24 months, 1.0 FTE); however, we welcome applications from candidates seeking to job share.

The role is predominantly desk-based and can therefore be carried out remotely from any part of the UK, though travel will be required periodically for collaborator meetings, engagement with conservation practitioners, and the delivery of workshops.

Please refer to the job description for further details of the role and the associated selection criteria.

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment for all staff regardless of age, disability, family or caring responsibilities, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief (including non-belief), sex and sexual orientation. We embrace equality and diversity in our working, learning, research and teaching environment and are committed to maintaining a supportive and inclusive community.

We particularly encourage applicants from Minority Ethnic backgrounds because the University is under-represented by Minority Ethnic staff.

For the vast majority of our roles we operate an agile working system, with time split between working on campus and at the employee's home. It is the University's expectation that home working will take place within the UK.

Further information about working for us, as well as the wide range of benefits we offer, can be found in the working with us section of our vacancies page.