Nature Connection & Wellbeing Specialist

Knowledge Exchange Partnerships at Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Applied Science are of both national and international relevance. The Knowledge Exchange activity at ENU has been assessed as 'internationally excellent' and 'world-leading', giving us a top position among Scotland's Modern universities for both commercial relevance and impact.

As such, we are currently partnering with Trash Free Trails (TFT), a community-focused, non-profit organisation who exist to (re)connect people with nature through the simple act of removing single-use pollution from wild places.

The partnership involves recruitment of a Nature Connection & Wellbeing Specialist to explore how trail cleaning and participation in citizen science enhances nature connection and wellbeing, using mixed methods research and collaborative working on a KTP Partnership basis.

The Role:

As Nature Connection and Wellbeing Specialist, you will be in an excellent position to use your professional knowledge of nature connection theory, wellbeing evaluation or environmental psychology to design and implement a mixed-methods research framework to evaluate the impact of trail cleans on wellbeing, nature connection and pro-environmental behaviours.

Your previous experience of using field-based data collection methods will serve you will in this regard, as you collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate tools (e.g. SPSS, R, NVIVO), mapping trail and community characteristics to understand how context affects outcomes.

Furthermore, all of your skills and experiences in relation to research in the fields of psychology, environmental or health sciences, human geography, sustainability (or related fields), will allow you to effectively lead the delivery of the project workplan, in collaboration with TFT and ENU.

The role will laterally see you promoting opportunities for volunteer community involvement where possible, allowing you to build and maintain positive relationships with TFT’s Community Hubs, volunteers, land managers and partners, while ensuring integration of TFT’s existing research and activity; a fantastic opportunity to make a real-world difference on a multitude of levels.

If you have an appropriate background with research experience and ability to project lead, then this is a chance for you to explore the intricacies of Ethological Citizenship and the Nature and Wellbeing connection, while working at the cutting edge of applied research, wellbeing/citizen science and environmental action.

What we will need from you:

• Master’s degree in psychology, environmental or health sciences, human geography, sustainability, or related field.
• Excellent organisation, planning and time management skills
• Applied experience of empirical field-based data collection methods
• Knowledge of nature connection theory, wellbeing evaluation or environmental psychology
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to build relationships
• Full driving licence and willingness to travel regularly throughout the UK
• PVG Membership (or willingness to apply)

For a full job description and comprehensive list of duties, please click here.

Benefits we offer:

41 days annual leave, generous pension scheme with Employer contribution of 17.6%, hybrid/flexible working and professional development opportunities. Further information can be viewed here.

Contract: Fixed Term – 30 months

Hours: Full Time – 35 hrs/wk

Interviews: Week commencing 8^th September 2025

Please note, on this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

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