Research Assistant on Equitable Place-Based Environmental Governance

We’re looking for an effective and driven researcher to join the Land, Society and Governance research group, reporting to Mark Hirons, the post holder will be a member of the Land, Society and Governance research group with responsibility for the provision of research support for the Agile Initiative Sprint entitled: ‘How can we deliver effective and equitable place-based environmental governance?’. 

This Sprint aims to conduct research that contributes to the delivery of collaborative governance approaches that integrate environmental, social, and economic concerns while balancing global, national and local priorities. To deliver on this aim, the sprint engages with Welsh Area Statements (AS). These are regional, legislatively mandated, place-based plans which were developed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) through participatory engagement with local communities and are due to be updated in 2026. This project, designed and delivered in partnership with Natural Resource Wales, aims to produce research that equips key actors associated with Area Statements – including NRW staff, end users, and Welsh Government leaders - to engage meaningfully with the area statement process. The goal is to ensure that updated Area Statements are effectively integrated in the new Natural Resources Policy and are able to be meaningfully implemented on the ground, addressing persistent delivery challenges.

The post holder will have a particular focus on the social science component of the project. This will include stakeholder mapping, institutional analysis and engaging with theories of environmental justice/equity and place-based environmental governance. The post holder will also serve as a ‘Policy Liaison Officer’ with Natural Resource Wales, taking an active role in co-creation, engagement, and collaboration with policy professionals to produce impactful research at the science-policy interface.

To be considered a successful candidate;

• Hold a relevant taught post-graduate degree with a significant research component
• Possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to work within established research programmes
• Ability to manage own research and administrative activities
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write text that can be published, present data at conferences, and represent the research group at meetings
• Experience in following and adapting methodologies

Applications for this vacancy should be made online, and you will be required to upload a CV and supporting statement as part of your application, explaining your interest in the role and how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for this post.

Enquiries may be directed to  recruit@ouce.ox.ac.uk. The closing date for applications is midday on Thursday 12th June. Interviews are expected to be held on Friday 27th June.

We offer very generous benefits, some of which are:

• Generous holiday allowance of 38 days, including bank holidays
• Hybrid working
• Membership of the Oxford staff pension scheme
• Discounted bus travel
• Cycle loan scheme
• Plus, many other University benefits

The School of Geography and the Environment is committed to fostering a culture of equality, diversity, and inclusion. Applications are particularly encouraged from women, Black, and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts at Oxford. The school holds an Athena SWAN Silver Award in recognition of its commitment to gender equality

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