Research Assistant - Forest-Food nexus (Meta-analysis and Evidence Synthesis)

Location: Life and Mind Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3EL

About the role

You will join an interdisciplinary Oxford research team delivering a policy-focused project on how forest action in producer countries influences agricultural production, trade stability, and UK food-system resilience. The research team works closely with DEFRA and international stakeholders and focuses on soy and cocoa supply chains.

You will support systematic literature review, evidence mapping, and meta-analysis, helping to quantify and synthesise links between deforestation, agricultural productivity, trade, and livelihoods. You will also contribute to integrating quantitative findings into scenario-based analyses and policy-relevant outputs. The role offers hands-on experience in interdisciplinary research and science-policy engagement, with opportunities to contribute to publications and policy briefs.

About you

You should have a relevant degree and experience conducting literature reviews and quantitative evidence synthesis. You will be comfortable working with complex datasets, documenting uncertainty, and communicating findings clearly to both academic and policy audiences. Experience with meta-analysis methods or land-use and food-system research is desirable.

How to apply

The University of Oxford is committed to equal opportunity, and to being a place where everyone belongs and is supported to succeed. We recognise how the diversity of our community enriches our ability to deliver on our academic mission.

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented within higher education. No applicant or members of staff shall be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Fixed term for either 5.5 months or two posts at 3 months and the other for 2.5 months. Funding ends 31 August 2026.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 3 March 2026; interviews are likely to be scheduled for mid-March 2026. Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via our e-recruitment system, and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application.

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