University of Birmingham
Research Fellow (Post Doctoral) - School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science - 107637 - Grade 7
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Job Description
Position Details
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
Full time starting salary: normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822
Grade: 7
Part Time: 18.75 hours per week
Fixed Term contract: up to July 2028
Closing date: 13th August 2026
Travel: UK and International travel may be required for this role
Background
The postholder will contribute to the UKRI-funded project Entrepreneurship, Art and Science for Environmental Sustainability (EASE), an interdisciplinary research programme integrating environmental science, creative practice, and entrepreneurial approaches to develop innovative climate communication tools.
The University of Birmingham brings internationally recognised expertise in environmental science and palaeoclimate research, contributing high-resolution environmental datasets and analytical capability to the project. The role will support the collection of new drone and GIS data and the integration of these datasets into interdisciplinary research and public-facing outputs, working closely with project partners across multiple institutions.
Role Summary
The post holder will undertake interdisciplinary research at the interface of environmental science, spatial data analysis, and climate communication. They will contribute to the collection, analysis, and interpretation of environmental and geospatial data (including GIS and/or drone-based methods), and support its translation into innovative, publicly engaged outputs within the EASE framework.
The role includes collaboration with scientists, artists, and business researchers to co-develop and evaluate new climate communication tools (Minimum Valuable Prototypes), contribute to research outputs, and support the delivery of project work packages.
Main Duties
The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
- To lead on partnership and stakeholder development, acting as a key liaison between the academic team and community partners (e.g., NGOs, museums, local diverse community groups).
- To liaise with and support visiting artists and stakeholders on campus or at research sites.
- Develop research objectives and contribute to the delivery of the EASE research programme, particularly in relation to environmental and spatial data integration.
- Collect, manage, and analyse environmental and geospatial datasets using appropriate methods (e.g. GIS, remote sensing, drone-based survey where appropriate).
- Contribute to the co-development of Minimum Valuable Prototypes (MVPs), ensuring scientific robustness and effective translation of environmental data into accessible formats.
- Apply knowledge to develop new approaches to environmental data visualisation and communication within interdisciplinary contexts.
- Contribute to the Climactic Assemblages Methodology (CAM), supporting the integration of scientific, creative, and entrepreneurial approaches.
- Participate in interdisciplinary fieldwork activities, including Artist Venturing Labs, supporting data collection, documentation, and knowledge exchange.
- Analyse and interpret research findings and contribute to evaluation frameworks assessing social, environmental, and economic impact (e.g. Triple Bottom Line approaches).
- Disseminate research findings through academic publications, reports, presentations, and public engagement activities.
- Undertake administrative and organisational tasks related to the research project, including coordination of meetings, workshops, and events.
- Contribute to Departmental and School research activities and wider University initiatives.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- First degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Environmental Science, Geography, Earth Sciences, or related field)
- PhD (or near completion) in a relevant subject area
Knowledge and Skills
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including experience working with environmental or spatial datasets.
- Experience in the use of geospatial tools (e.g. GIS) or drone surveys.
- Experience with environmental data collection methods (e.g. fieldwork, remote sensing, and/or drone-based survey) is highly desirable.
- Ability to interpret complex scientific data and translate it for interdisciplinary and/or public audiences.
Research and Professional Skills
- Ability to contribute to the development of new research methods or interdisciplinary approaches.
- Experience of academic writing and dissemination (e.g. publications, presentations).
- Ability to plan and manage own research activities and meet deadlines.
- Experience of working collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Communication and Teamwork
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly to academic and non-academic audiences.
- Ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including researchers, creative practitioners, and external partners.
- Strong organisational and coordination skills.
Additional Attributes
- Interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of science, creativity, and public engagement.
- Ability to contribute to project coordination and collaborative working across institutions.
- Awareness of equality, diversity, and inclusion principles and their application in research environment.
Informal Enquiries
Contact James Bendle, email: j.bendle@bham.ac.uk
Use of AI in Applications
We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter, and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills