Research Impact Fellow (Nature and Climate Impact Team Cross-Sector)

A full-time post is available as soon as possible on a fixed-term basis until 31st August 2026, in the University of Exeter Business School.

Flexible and hybrid working will be offered to suit the individuals appointed and the requirements of the role.

Summary of the role
We are seeking outstanding and highly motivated individuals to form part of the Nature and Climate Impact Team for Accelerating Action on Nature and Climate (AANC) led by Professor Gail Whiteman, the inaugural Hoffmann Impact Professor for Nature and Climate. The Nature and Climate Impact Team is a unique, high-performing team which privileges the role of scholarly evidence and engagement to mobilise action as opposed to perpetuating the divide between science and practice. We capitalise on the breadth of expertise within the University of Exeter, alongside our partners and a growing number of sector contacts, to accelerate our activity to have a greater impact before the end of the decade. We are building capacity to develop and implement concrete ‘impact pathways’ of our knowledge base, and deliver bespoke sustainability leadership training to corporate, consumer and boardroom decision-makers through dedicated resources, access to leading academics and online tools.

To affect positive change, we know from experience that we need to speak to and engage the companies who are sitting at key leverage points in their sector and who will activate wider systems change. We want to systematically approach sectors with a team of experts and resources. We are therefore recruiting three Research Impact Fellows, with each Fellow responsible for one main sector. Our preliminary industry sectors are Food, Consumer Package Goods/Electronics and Digital Technologies.

Successful applicants will have significant experience with corporate sustainability initiatives in one or more of our key sectors, and of contributing to interdisciplinary, complex impact programmes. They should have a track record of successfully building tangible impact within the corporate sustainability space, working with research-based organisations, and supporting the integration of science-based solutions or approaches. Applicants should also demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively and strategically within a fast-moving environment at the global level.

If you want to turbocharge support for low carbon and nature-positive action, by building science-informed impact pathways in key target industry sectors, please apply.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button) for full details of this role.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research.
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly.
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development.
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career.
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave(up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy.
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon.

Informal Enquiries
Before submitting an application, you may wish to discuss the post further by contacting Gail Whiteman, g.whiteman@exeter.ac.uk.

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