Research & Knowledge Exchange Theme Leader: Pollution

With 19 campuses and centres across the North and West Highlands, Skye, and Outer Hebrides, we cover a geographic area larger than Wales, comprising 40% of Scotland’s coastline. Our campuses and centres are located within historic towns and villages, set amongst the shorelines, mountains, and moors, with local staff working across our region to support our students and communities.  

The Environmental Research Institute (ERI), part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) North, West and Hebrides, is seeking an outstanding researcher to lead and develop its Pollution Research and Knowledge Exchange (KE) Theme. ERI is internationally recognised for high-impact, interdisciplinary research addressing major environmental challenges. The Pollution Theme is closely aligned with the global One Health and sustainability agendas, focusing on real-world solutions that bridge science, policy, and practice.

Based in the far north of Scotland, ERI offers exceptional access to natural laboratories, strong partnerships across government, industry, and communities, and a supportive, collaborative research environment. www.uhi.ac.uk | eri.ac.uk

Position: We are seeking a Research & Knowledge Exchange Theme Leader: Pollution to be based at our Thurso campus.

Responsibilities: The post holders will provide leadership in pollution research, focusing on the occurrence, fate, impacts and mitigation of environmental contaminants. You will lead and grow a portfolio of externally funded research and knowledge exchange projects, oversee ERI’s commercial analytical services, contribute to UHI’s research strategy and REF 2029 preparations and engage with government, agencies, industry and communities to deliver real-world impact. You will mentor early career researchers & support a collaborative, outward-facing research culture.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills: The suitable candidates will have the knowledge, skills and experience normally associated with a PhD plus research experience to enable the delivery and dissemination of independent research. You will have the ability to develop research proposals, sufficient specialist knowledge to effectively contribute to as well as develop and deliver research programmes and have strong communication and customer service skills.

A level of Gaelic ability would be advantageous to your application.

Applications are welcome from candidates who can contribute to one of our existing areas of our current work:

+ Sustainable Water Quality Management and Wastewater Treatment

+ Monitoring and Assessing Acute and Chronic Impacts of Pollutants

+ Minimising Pollution in Rural Sectors

+ Preventing Harm from Priority Pollutants

And / or one or more of the following areas is particularly welcome:

+ Environmental modelling and data science

+ AMR ecology and environmental microbiology

+ Ecotoxicology and environmental health

+ Green chemistry and circular innovation

+ Catchment biogeochemistry and hydrochemistry

+ Science, governance and policy translation

Benefits of working for us: 

• 45 days annual leave per year (pro rata for part-time staff)
• Local Government Pension Scheme (Highland Council)
• 10% Membership Discount at Highlife Highland 
• Occupational sick pay scheme and family friendly leave provisions
• Staff Support and Employee Assistance Programmes
• Employment Benefits Scheme including lifestyle savings and Cycle to Work Scheme
• £80 towards cost of glasses required for VDU work

To Apply: For a full job description and an application form, download the pack at: Staff - Vacancies (uhi.ac.uk) or email recruitment.nwh@uhi.ac.uk. Please include your CV, a covering letter is optional.

For informal enquiries, contact: Prof Stuart Gibb, Director of Research & Knowledge Exchange Email: Stuart.Gibb@uhi.ac.uk

• Job description
• Guidance Notes for Candidates
• Personal Details Form
• Application form

If you have any queries about the application process please contact recruitment.nwh@uhi.ac.uk.

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