Research Fellow in Greenspace and Health

Opportunity Overview 

The University of Salford is the fastest growing university in the Northwest and the 5th fastest growing in the UK. This is an exciting joint post between the University of Salford and Edge Hill University, with the candidate being based at Salford's Environmental Research & Innovation Centre (ERIC). GreenME (advancing Greencare in Europe: an integrated multi-scalar approach for the expansion of nature-based therapies to improve Mental health Equity) is a 4-year (2023 - 2027) €5.8 million Horizon Europe project, involving some 19 core partners and an array of other external organisations across Europe and the USA. The project aims to identify ways in which effective nature-based therapy and a broader green care framework can be scaled-up to improve adult mental health and wellbeing equity, while also contributing to multiple socio-ecological co-benefits. To that end, over 4 years, GreenME’s approach is to diagnose, to increase scientific evidence on the mental health and wellbeing benefits of green care and to empower green care actors. The evidence generated will offer replicable partnership models and guidelines to design impactful cross-sectorial green care systems, with national healthcare systems and local governments amongst the beneficiaries, leading to a higher uptake of nature-based therapy and a general reframing of the green infrastructure functionality.

You will work primarily with Prof Mike Hardman (SEE), Prof Penny Cook (H&S) and Prof Michelle Howarth (Edge Hill), alongside the wider GreenME team. In the UK, this wider team consists of Dr Silvio Caputo at the University of Kent, to Social Farms & Gardens and East Kent Mind. We are looking for a passionate, highly-motivated and creative interdisciplinary researcher who has a background in Geography, Environmental Studies, Planning, Health or a related field; a core skill requirement involves the ability to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related tools. The UK team’s work cuts across multiple elements of GreenME, from exploring innovative policy and practice around green care, to the spatial assessment of schemes and impact of initiatives on the ground.

The post is a 0.9FTE 1 year Research Fellow (Grade 7) position and is available from August 2026. The successful candidate will ideally be available to start in the first week of August. 

Note this opportunity may close early depending on candidate volumes. 

What's in it for you? 

• Competitive salary - and excellent pension scheme
• An impressive 32 days leave - plus bank holidays, additional time off at Christmas and the opportunity to buy even more!
• Flexible working - we support a culture of flexible and agile working to help you find the right balance
• Professional development - we offer a comprehensive package of training and development opportunities to help you achieve your full potential
• Our community - there's a real sense of belonging here at Salford. We value diversity, in backgrounds and in experiences.  Our difference makes us stronger, and together we share a passion for improving students' lives
• The Perks! - MySalford, our online employee portal offers a wide range of lifestyle benefits and discounts
• Wellbeing support - all our people are important to us and we have services and facilities dedicated to your mental and physical health, ranging from an Employee Assistance Programme and counselling, to sports and fitness facilities including discounted gym memberships

Job Description

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