Vacancy Details

Description

Research Assistant (ELM project) - FTC for 15 months

Based at Francis Close Hall Campus

1.0 FTE 37 hours per week

This position offers an exciting opportunity to pursue an academic career path within a high performing and vibrant research team. The post offers considerable opportunities for professional and personal development, including the chance to contribute to the development of the Environmental Land Management scheme (ELM) whilst working with leading researchers in their respective fields.

The post holder will primarily work on delivering a Defra-funded Test & Trial project which will investigate the potential of long-term agreements (e.g., conservation covenants) for inclusion within the Environmental Land Management scheme (ELM).

This scheme, currently being developed by Defra, will replace existing farm payments and is, therefore, a pivotal time for British farming. This test and trials project will involve recruiting for and facilitating workshops and interviews with farmers and other agricultural stakeholders, writing a literature review, building potential scenarios within which long-term agreements may be appropriate, and co-designing agreements with the project participants.

In addition, you will undertake qualitative and quantitative analysis, write reports for Defra, work closely with expert advisors to produce scenarios whereby long-term agreements may be applicable, and support the project wherever needed.  When working on this project, you will work under the direction of Charlotte Chivers and Chris Short, who will support you throughout. You will also be encouraged to publish peer-reviewed papers with our support. In addition, you may also have the opportunity to contribute to some of the other exciting projects being carried out within the CCRI.

The ideal candidate will hold a Masters degree or have an equivalent level of experience in a relevant discipline, an interest in the future of agricultural policy, experience working with farmers and other stakeholders, a disposition towards collaborative work, and a commitment to high-quality, impactful research.

Additionally, the post will support the delivery of other existing and new contract and grant funded research projects and contribute to the wider work of the Institute, in research, associated teaching, communication and dissemination.

The post offers a great opportunity for the successful candidate to develop applied research skills and knowledge in a supportive team environment, working for influential project sponsors over a clearly-defined 15-month period. It requires a good knowledge of quantitative and qualitative social science research methods, as well as sound organisational skills and the ability to adapt rapidly to new challenges and opportunities.

Please contact Chris Short or Charlotte Chivers for further information: cshort@glos.ac.uk / cchivers@glos.ac.uk

Closing date: Wednesday 12th January 2022

Interview date:  Wednesday 19th January 2022

The University understands the benefits of recruiting a diverse range of people and we select the best possible on merit alone.  We welcome applications from under-represented sections of the community.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, guaranteeing to offer an interview to anyone who meets the definition of disability set out in the Equality Act 2010 and who meets all of the essential criteria contained within the person specification.

Please download and save the Application for Employment Form to your computer. You will need to complete this form as part of the online application process. Your application will not be considered without this form.