Research Fellow (FOOTPRINT)

1.0 FTE - Fixed term post until 31/07/2027

The Countryside and Community Research Institute, CCRI, www.ccri.ac.uk, is the largest specialist rural research centre in the UK, having expertise in all aspects of research in policy and planning for the countryside and the environment of the UK, Europe and further afield. We are a vibrant research community and our research has been judged as internationally significant, rigorous, and high quality by the Research Excellence Framework. 

About the role

We are seeking an ambitious postdoctoral social science researcher to support delivery of a major transdisciplinary research project. The successful candidate will play an important role in the FOOTPRINT project, https://lunzfootprint.com, one of five projects funded by the UKRI in its flagship Transforming Land Use for Net Zero, Nature and People programme.

The post holder will be expected to take responsibility for coordinating and delivering a range of social science approaches to assess 1. how land managers across the UK can build understanding and learning from using GHG assessment tools and 2. governance issues related to GHG assessment tools.  The role involves planning, conducting and analysing semi structured interviews and participatory activities with farmers and stakeholders, representatives of GHG assessment practitioners and users, the supply chain, the advisory community and policy makers.  It will also involve some survey analysis and contributing to the Living Lab methodology, conceptualising and applying a learning evaluation framework and impact pathway.  The post holder will also support the project PI in all aspects of project and WP management and research.

This post would suit an ambitious early career researcher with a PhD in a relevant subject area and experience of interdisciplinary approaches. It requires proven social science skills, including developing and operationalising conceptualisations, coordinating qualitative data collection and analysis, and publishing peer reviewed academic papers. The successful candidate will have a good understanding of the GHG assessment landscape and key actors, land use for net zero policy and practice, and familiarity with the relevant literature. The post provides an exciting opportunity for external liaison, with interfaces to the UK government, academia, agricultural industry across the UK; as well as the LUNZ Hub and the other four LUNZ projects in this new research arena. It also offers postdoctoral career development in a supportive and thriving research environment.

Candidates will be able to work under the University’s Agile Working Policy, mixing working from home, if desirable, with office working and the needs of the post to work at other locations. CCRI staff are expected to attend the office at least once per month, and attend all staff meetings, awaydays and other similar meetings and events.

Key Contact Details

Candidates may contact Professor Julie Ingram jingram@glos.ac.uk to discuss the role.

How to apply

Please apply either by submitting and CV and cover letter which clearly states how your experience links to the person specification or complete an application form. We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. 

Applicants should note that the University will not be able to sponsor visa applications for this post.

Key Dates

Closing Date: 10 May 2026

Interview Date: 27 May 2026

To avoid disappointment please apply early, should we find a suitable candidate we will close the advert. 

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