Senior Research Associate, Quantifying impacts of corporate environmental restoration initiatives

Lancaster University; Lancaster; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent UK research institution is seeking a Senior Research Associate to explore and document the impacts of corporate environmental restoration initiatives. This full-time position offers a stimulating environment for career development and requires a strong background in sustainability research. The successful candidate will engage with diverse project partners and contribute to impactful research outcomes. Applications are encouraged from candidates with a relevant PhD and proven experience in statistical analysis and data management.

Benefits

Career development training package

Support for visa application processes

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience in data collation and management.
• Background relevant to corporate sustainability research.
• Published research and engagement with diverse project partners.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on environmental restoration initiatives.
• Extract data from sustainability reports.
• Identify best practices in corporate environmental restoration.

Skills

Data collation and management

Statistical analysis

Interpersonal and teamwork skills

Impact-driven science vision

Education

PhD or equivalent

Job description

Senior Research Associate – Quantifying impacts of corporate environmental restoration initiatives

An exciting opportunity for a researcher in corporate sustainability to join the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business, to conduct research on the impacts of business environmental restoration initiatives.

This is a full time, with some flexibility to allow part‑time if required (enquiries welcome) based in Lancaster, with at least 3 days per week in person. Travel for collaborations as required.

The contract is for 3 years, with opportunities to apply for further funding to extend.

Lancaster Environment Centre and the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business are seeking to appoint a highly motivated and enthusiastic post‑doctoral researcher to contribute to the UKRI‑funded project ENTERPRISE: ENsuring Transformative Ecosystem Restoration by the PRIvate SEctor. The overall aim of the project is to carry out research that allows businesses’ sustainability efforts to deliver maximal environmental and societal benefit. The particular focus of this post is on documenting how corporate environmental restoration initiatives are articulated in sustainability reporting, and how this impacts practice on the ground. Recent international frameworks on corporate nature and biodiversity reporting (e.g. Taskforce for Nature‑Related Financial Disclosures, Global Reporting Initiative Standard 101: Biodiversity) are resulting in greater evidence of nature interactions in corporate environmental reports. You will extract data from these new reports to answer questions such as:

• Have new disclosure requirements resulted in demonstrable increases in the level of biodiversity and nature‑linked data provided in corporate sustainability reporting?
• Is it possible to use corporate sustainability reports to quantify the environmental benefits of business environmental restoration initiatives in terms of land/sea affected, biodiversity change and carbon fixation?
• What important information is still lacking from corporate sustainability reports, that would allow policymakers and stakeholders to more effectively hold businesses to account for their nature impacts?
• Can industry leaders in sustainability be identified – and can their positive actions be used as a model to replicate good practice amongst other businesses within the same sector and/or geographical area?

You will work alongside project partners Global Reporting Initiative, using this research to guide the application of current and future reporting guidelines. You will also work alongside colleagues and project partners to identify case studies of successful business‑led environmental restoration projects around the world. They will visit these projects to identify the business practices that are leading to particularly beneficial environmental outcomes and robust reporting, using this to inform recommendations for best practice. Applicants are also encouraged to think through their own ideas about corporate sustainability and reporting, and how their experience could be applied to this research area.

You will work in an interdisciplinary team whose expertise spans the natural and social sciences. Candidates with any background that is relevant to this research will be considered. Preferred candidates will have a PhD or equivalent, with relevant experience in data collation and management, statistical analysis, writing publications and engaging with diverse project partners. Experience of environmental accounting and/or the design or analysis of corporate sustainability reporting will be highly valued. A proactive and enthusiastic approach, good interpersonal and teamwork skills, an ability to work with diverse project partners, and a vision for impact‑driven science are all essential.

Lancaster Environment Centre and the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business offer a highly collegial and stimulating environment for career development, with a strong culture of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity considerations and actions. You will be supported in their career development by a high‑quality training package, with specific budget and time allocated to meet their training needs. Foreign applicants will be supported with visa application processes and costs. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are committed to family‑friendly and flexible working policies on an individual basis, and welcome informal enquiries about flexible working arrangements.

We anticipate that shortlisting will happen in the week commencing 1^st December 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview with at least one week’s notice, with interviews likely to happen on 10^th–12^th or 15^th December 2025. The successful candidate will start from April 2026 onwards. The position is for three years, but we will seek opportunities to extend this timeframe, e.g. supporting grant and fellowship applications.

Informal enquiries – for example questions about the scope of the research or working arrangements – are welcome to Dr Tim Lamont ([e-mail]). Such enquiries are not necessary as part of the application and will not inform any of the decision process. Applications without any prior enquiry are welcome and will not be disadvantaged.

Dr Lamont will be on paternity leave during some of the advertising period. He will screen his emails and reply to enquiries about this position within three working days. If you require a more urgent response, contact Prof Jan Bebbington ([e-mail]).

What to include in each document of your application:

CV: Please include a 2 page CV. You do not have to include publications in this document.

Publication List: Please include a complete list of all publications. Publications that are accepted or in press can be included, but not those that are in review or in submission.

Cover Letter: Please discuss why you are interested specifically in this position, and how it fits with your career goals. Please also describe how you may seek to develop this area of research with your own ideas. Maximum 800 words.

Supporting Statements: Please provide a supporting statement (200 words max) for each Personal Specification point that is listed as being scored via “Supporting Statements”. This should include examples that provide evidence of your experience and expertise.

Referees: Please include contact information for at least two referees.