Socio-Ecological Research Fellow

Faculty of Science and Engineering

About the role

The School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (SECaM) wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to support the work of Prof Ian Bailey on a research project led by Prof Lars Johanning funded through the UoP International Collaboration Investment Fund project 'OcEn’.

The project aims on user-inspired research that conceptualizes and utilizes ocean energy systems to achieve just, environmentally responsible, and climate responsive futures. An overview of the project can be found here.

This position is available from 1st of July 2025 for 36 months. The role would be based at the campus of The University of Plymouth. You will be appointed at Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Grade 7) depending on the skills and experience the individual can bring to the role.

About the role:

The project is an interdisciplinary, cross-country collaboration with leading global research Universities from US, Canada and Australia. The focus of the post will be to develop a novel framework for integrating scientific and multi-species justice perspectives into analysis of the ecological impacts of offshore renewable energy developments. 

What we’re looking for: 

We’re looking for an individual, with appropriate skills in leading the development of a methodological framework for considering and incorporating multi-species justice principles into policy-making, consultation and consenting for offshore renewable energy. 

You will: 

• Have a PhD in a relevant research area
• Be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in analysing socio-ecological justice considerations, encompassing recognition justice, distributive fairness, procedural integrity, and restorative justice for historical, existing and anticipated harms arising offshore and onshore from the construction, operation and decommissioning of offshore renewable energy
• Be a nationally recognised authority in the field socio-ecological impacts from offshore renewable energy
• Be able to work collaboratively, present information on research progress and outcomes and be able to develop research programmes and methodologies. 

You should demonstrate your achievement against the relevant criteria in the accompanying person specifications which will be used to make an appointment at an appropriate level. For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description below. 

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Professor Ian Bailey or Professor Lars Johanning by email Ian.Bailey@plymouth.ac.uk or lars.johanning@plymouth.ac.uk

For more information on School of Engineering Computing and Mathematics please visit our dedicated webpage at https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools 

For this role, you will need to be on site 3 days a week. Although we can accommodate working from home for this role, flexibility to be on-site will be expected due to business needs. 

The successful candidate may be required to obtain an ATAS Certificate prior to this research being undertaken. 

About us 

You will be based at the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. For more information about Faculty, please click here. Based at the University of Plymouth you will be part of the The OcEn project that is a multinational consortium with leading international research institutions. 

Anticipated Interview Date: Thursday 29 January 2026 

A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed here. 

Closing date: 12 midnight, Sunday 18 January 2026 

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