Research Fellow (on Rights of Nature and Governance of Ecosystem Engineering)

Job details

Contractual hours: 35

Region: South

Job category/type: Academic and Research

Job description

Fixed-term position (21 months)

Closing date: 23:59 24 November 2026

Interview date – to be confirmed

By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants wishing to consider the SWR must ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement before applying. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

We seek a motivated a Research Fellow to contribute to the Ethics and Social Responsibility platform for the “Accelerated Adaptation” programme funded by the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA). The project aims to embed a holistic governance approach across the entire programme, engaging communities, developing nature-centric governance approaches that treat nature itself as a stakeholder rather than simply a resource to manage, and assessing systemic risks that novel interventions could introduce, from unintended ecological harm to eroded public trust. The role involves developing transdisciplinary methodologies and working with domain experts in novel conservation and ecological engineering projects such as immunisation of trees against bacterial infection, genetic engineering of bacteria to defend amphibians against fungal diseases, seed priming to engineer early drought-tolerance in trees and engineering insecticide resistance into wild pollinators. The role will focus on bringing a rights-of-nature lens to the governance of such technological advances, acknowledging the plural values around these and other approaches of nature restoration.

You will have:

• Experience in Environmental law and regulation.
• Working in a team project towards a common goal.
• Literature synthesis and writing skills.
• Report writing experience.

Contact details for advert

Contact Name: Marzia Briel  

Contact Job Title: Senior Research Fellow

Contact Email address: marzia.briel@reading.ac.uk

We welcome applications from both external and internal candidates. As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role can be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Internal candidates should discuss this with their line manager prior to applying.

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race.

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