Research Fellow (Post Doctoral) – School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science – 107637 – Grade 7 Part-time

Job Description

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Grade: 7

Part Time (18.75 hours per week)

Fixed Term contract up to July 2028

Closing date: 13th August 2026

UK and International travel may be required for this role

Background

The postholder will contribute to the UKRI-funded project Entrepreneurship, Art and Science for Environmental Sustainability (EASE), an interdisciplinary research programme integrating environmental science, creative practice and entrepreneurial approaches to develop innovative climate communication tools.

The University of Birmingham brings internationally recognised expertise in environmental science and palaeoclimate research, contributing high-resolution environmental datasets and analytical capability to the project. The role will support the collection of new drone and GIS data and the integration of these datasets into interdisciplinary research and public-facing outputs, working closely with project partners across multiple institutions.

Role Summary

The post holder will undertake interdisciplinary research at the interface of environmental science, spatial data analysis, and climate communication. They will contribute to the collection, analysis and interpretation of environmental and geospatial data (including GIS and/or drone-based methods), and support its translation into innovative, publicly engaged outputs within the EASE framework.

The role includes collaboration with scientists, artists, and business researchers to co-develop and evaluate new climate communication tools (Minimum Valuable Prototypes), contribute to research outputs, and support the delivery of project work packages.

Main Duties

• To lead on partnership and stakeholder development, acting as a key liaison between the academic team and community partners (e.g., NGOs, museums, local diverse community groups).
• To liaise with and support visiting artists and stakeholders on campus or at research sites.
• Develop research objectives and contribute to the delivery of the EASE research programme, particularly in relation to environmental and spatial data integration.
• Collect, manage and analyse environmental and geospatial datasets using appropriate methods (e.g. GIS, remote sensing, drone-based survey where appropriate).
• Contribute to the co-development of Minimum Valuable Prototypes (MVPs), ensuring scientific robustness and effective translation of environmental data into accessible formats.
• Apply knowledge to develop new approaches to environmental data visualisation and communication within interdisciplinary contexts.
• Contribute to the Climactic Assemblages Methodology (CAM), supporting the integration of scientific, creative and entrepreneurial approaches.
• Participate in interdisciplinary fieldwork activities, including Artist Venturing Labs, supporting data collection, documentation and knowledge exchange.
• Analyse and interpret research findings and contribute to evaluation frameworks assessing social, environmental and economic impact (e.g. Triple Bottom Line approaches).
• Disseminate research findings through academic publications, reports, presentations, and public engagement activities.
• Undertake administrative and organisational tasks related to the research project, including coordination of meetings, workshops and events.
• Contribute to Departmental and School research activities and wider University initiatives.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• First degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Environmental Science, Geography, Earth Sciences or related field)
• PhD (or near completion) in a relevant subject area

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including experience working with environmental or spatial datasets
• Experience in the use of geospatial tools (e.g. GIS) or drone surveys.
• Experience with environmental data collection methods (e.g. fieldwork, remote sensing and/or drone-based survey) is highly desirable
• Ability to interpret complex scientific data and translate it for interdisciplinary and/or public audiences

Research and Professional Skills

• Ability to contribute to the development of new research methods or interdisciplinary approaches
• Experience of academic writing and dissemination (e.g. publications, presentations)
• Ability to plan and manage own research activities and meet deadlines
• Experience of working collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams

Communication and Teamwork

• Ability to communicate complex information clearly to academic and non-academic audiences
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including researchers, creative practitioners and external partners
• Strong organisational and coordination skills

Additional Attributes

• Interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of science, creativity and public engagement
• Ability to contribute to project coordination and collaborative working across institutions
• Awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion principles and their application in research environment

Informal enquiries to James Bendle, email: j.bendle@bham.ac.uk

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.