Senior Research Associate-Scaling up restoration of tropical marine ecosystems

Lancaster University; Lancaster; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in the UK seeks a Senior Research Associate to conduct impactful research on restoring tropical marine ecosystems. The successful candidate will work closely with international partners and lead ecological fieldwork. Candidates with a PhD in relevant fields are encouraged to apply. This full-time role offers a supportive environment for career development and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Career development support

Flexible working policies

Visa support for foreign applicants

Qualifications

• PhD in marine science, restoration ecology or ecological modelling.
• Experience in experimental design, ecological surveys, leading fieldwork expeditions.
• Skills in data management, statistical analysis, and writing publications.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on large-scale restoration of tropical marine ecosystems.
• Collaborate with international partners and manage fieldwork expeditions.
• Evaluate ecological outcomes of large-scale marine restoration.

Job description

Senior Research Associate – Scaling up restoration of tropical marine ecosystems

An exciting opportunity for an environmental scientist to join the Lancaster REEFs group, to conduct research on large-scale restoration of tropical marine ecosystems.

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

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

We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic environmental scientist to contribute to a project investigating the potential for upscaling ecosystem restoration in tropical marine environments (coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass). The research will focus on quantifying the ecological impacts of large-scale marine restoration programmes, with emphasis on projects that are funded or led by the private sector. This will include collating and analysing existing monitoring datasets from restoration programmes around the world, and leading fieldwork expeditions to generate new data. The main research goals will be to evaluate the ecological outcomes of large-scale marine restoration and to test ecological theories for upscaling existing programmes.

Preferred candidates will have a PhD in marine science, restoration ecology or ecological modelling, with relevant experience in experimental design, ecological surveys, leading and managing fieldwork expeditions, data management, statistical analysis, writing publications and engaging with diverse project partners. Experience of tropical marine restoration, particularly in South‑East Asia (where most of the project partners will be based), will be highly valued. A proactive and enthusiastic approach, good interpersonal and teamwork skills, an ability to work across cultural and language differences, and a vision for impact‑driven science are all essential.

This work will contribute to a UKRI funded project ENTERPRISE: ENsuring Transformative Ecosystem Restoration by the PRIvate SEctor. The successful applicant will work closely with Dr Tim Lamont (PI), Prof Nick Graham (collaborator) and other members of the Lancaster REEFs group. They will work alongside PhD students to develop methods, data and analytical approaches. They will contribute to building collaborative networks with international partners (both academic and non‑academic) and colleagues in corporate accounting and business sustainability. They will use ecological data in an interdisciplinary context to guide target‑setting for large-scale restoration programmes in the private sector. Applicants are also encouraged to think through their own ideas about upscaling large‑scale restoration of tropical marine ecosystems, and how their experience and expertise could be applied to this particular research area.

Lancaster University is a research‑intensive university, ranked in the top 1% of universities globally, and in the top 10 in the UK. Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) is a large and multidisciplinary department, tackling environmental challenges across the natural and social sciences, with strengths in high‑diversity tropical systems. LEC offers a highly collegial and stimulating environment for career development, with a strong culture of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) considerations and actions. The successful candidate will be supported in their own career development by high‑quality training within Lancaster University, 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 1st December 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview with at least one week’s notice, with interviews likely to happen on 10th–12th or 15th December 2025. The successful candidate will start from April 2026 onwards. The initial contract is for three years, but we will seek opportunities to extend this timeframe, such as supporting grant and fellowship applications and writing collaborative grants.

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. You may include publications that are accepted and not yet published, but please do not include publications that are in review or in submission.

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

Supporting Statements: Please provide a supporting statement 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. Please write one paragraph per criteria, with each paragraph limited to 200 words.

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

Further enquiries

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; however, he will screen his emails and aim to reply to enquiries about this position within three working days. If you require a more urgent response, contact Prof Nick Graham ([e-mail]).