Research Associate in Geographical Sciences (Bristol University)

The role Positions available for two Senior Research Associates: PEATSENSE Project, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol Diverse Knowledge Ecologies and Sensing Practices in Latin American Peatlands Environmental Histories and Inclusive Climate Futures in European Wetlands Join the forefront of interdisciplinary research on climate governance, knowledge politics, and environmental justice in peatlands as part of the pioneering ERC-funded PEATSENSE project team. We're seeking two dynamic Senior Research Associates who are driven by intellectual curiosity and committed to shaping inclusive climate futures through transformative research in the social sciences and environmental humanities. Role 1 (Latin America) – Investigate the emerging recognition of peatlands as critical sites of climate mitigation in specific regions in Latin America. Employ qualitative methodologies to explore the political ecology and sociocultural impacts of new governance models in regions such as the high Andean páramos [high moorlands] or Amazonian aguajales. You'll examine how global technologies, local knowledges, and climate policy intersect, critically analysing power dynamics and developing pathways toward inclusive governance. Role 2 (Europe) – Reframe the cultural and environmental histories of peatlands in Europe, particularly Scotland and Ireland, through archival research, oral histories, and ethnographic studies. Challenge dominant carbon-centric narratives by tracing the complex interactions between communities, ecosystems, and policy frameworks, uncovering alternative models that emphasise biodiversity, cultural heritage, and ecological restoration. What We Offer: A vibrant intellectual environment within the School of Geographical Sciences. Opportunity to lead cutting-edge research, co-design participatory methods, and engage with international networks. Career development through interdisciplinary collaboration, policy engagement, and knowledge exchange with diverse stakeholders. Contributions to academic publications, innovative policy reports, and impactful communication initiatives. What will you be doing? Conducting independent, high-quality, field-based qualitative research. Leading specific project work packages and managing extended fieldwork periods. Developing ethical research practices and co-designing participatory methods with community organisations and stakeholders. Producing impactful outputs including peer-reviewed research, policy briefs, and engaging communication materials. Collaborating closely with interdisciplinary and international teams, supporting workshops, policy dialogues, and cross-case synthesis activities. You should apply if You have a PhD in Human Geography, Anthropology, Political Ecology, the Environmental Humanities, Environmental History, or a closely related field or equivalent professional experience in the research area required. You have a strong and evidenced track record of conducting independent, qualitative (or mixed method) social-scientific research. You're passionate about environmental governance, political ecology, climate justice, or Indigenous and local environmental knowledge systems. You would like to work in an interdisciplinary team contributing toward policy and science communication outputs as well as high-quality academic publications. You can demonstrate excellent analytical and communication skills, including fluency in English and Spanish (Role 1), or familiarity with Gaelic and/or relevant cultural contexts (Role 2). You're committed to ethical, inclusive, and participatory research, and eager to contribute to transformative policy engagement. Additional information To apply for one of the two positions, please submit your Curriculum Vitae (maximum 4 pages) with a letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages) and a case study proposal (maximum 1200 words, plus an additional reference list) as separate attachments. The case study proposal should outline 1-2 peatland area you would plan to focus on as part of the thematic focus of the project. For example, for Role 1 (Latin America), you might develop two páramo sites in Colombia and Péru, or one highland and one lowland site in Colombia, or one site in highland Patagonia and the other in high bofedales. For Role 2 (Europe) you could develop a blanket bog case in Ireland and another in Scotland, or one of these with a contrasting case. The case study proposal should include a context section with relevant literature, a case study section giving detail to the proposed site(s), a methodology section detailing proposed methodologies, and a list of references. For informal enquiries please contact: Naomi Millner, naomi.millner@bristol.ac.uk Contract type: Open ended with fixed funding until 31/12/2029 Work pattern: Full time / or will consider 80% time Grade: J/Pathway 2 Salary: £42,882 - £48,149 per annum School/Unit: Geographical Sciences This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 23/06/2025 Interviews are anticipated to take place 8th-9th July 2025 Our strategy and mission We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values. *The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an* inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. *We want* to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

The role

Positions available for two Senior Research Associates: PEATSENSE Project, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol

Diverse Knowledge Ecologies and Sensing Practices in Latin American Peatlands
Environmental Histories and Inclusive Climate Futures in European Wetlands

Join the forefront of interdisciplinary research on climate governance, knowledge politics, and environmental justice in peatlands as part of the pioneering ERC-funded PEATSENSE project team. We're seeking two dynamic Senior Research Associates who are driven by intellectual curiosity and committed to shaping inclusive climate futures through transformative research in the social sciences and environmental humanities.

Role 1 (Latin America) – Investigate the emerging recognition of peatlands as critical sites of climate mitigation in specific regions in Latin America. Employ qualitative methodologies to explore the political ecology and sociocultural impacts of new governance models in regions such as the high Andean páramos [high moorlands] or Amazonian aguajales. You'll examine how global technologies, local knowledges, and climate policy intersect, critically analysing power dynamics and developing pathways toward inclusive governance.

Role 2 (Europe) – Reframe the cultural and environmental histories of peatlands in Europe, particularly Scotland and Ireland, through archival research, oral histories, and ethnographic studies. Challenge dominant carbon-centric narratives by tracing the complex interactions between communities, ecosystems, and policy frameworks, uncovering alternative models that emphasise biodiversity, cultural heritage, and ecological restoration.

What We Offer:

A vibrant intellectual environment within the School of Geographical Sciences.
Opportunity to lead cutting-edge research, co-design participatory methods, and engage with international networks.
Career development through interdisciplinary collaboration, policy engagement, and knowledge exchange with diverse stakeholders.
Contributions to academic publications, innovative policy reports, and impactful communication initiatives.

What will you be doing?

Conducting independent, high-quality, field-based qualitative research.
Leading specific project work packages and managing extended fieldwork periods.
Developing ethical research practices and co-designing participatory methods with community organisations and stakeholders.
Producing impactful outputs including peer-reviewed research, policy briefs, and engaging communication materials.
Collaborating closely with interdisciplinary and international teams, supporting workshops, policy dialogues, and cross-case synthesis activities.

You should apply if

You have a PhD in Human Geography, Anthropology, Political Ecology, the Environmental Humanities, Environmental History, or a closely related field or equivalent professional experience in the research area required.
You have a strong and evidenced track record of conducting independent, qualitative (or mixed method) social-scientific research.
You're passionate about environmental governance, political ecology, climate justice, or Indigenous and local environmental knowledge systems.
You would like to work in an interdisciplinary team contributing toward policy and science communication outputs as well as high-quality academic publications.
You can demonstrate excellent analytical and communication skills, including fluency in English and Spanish (Role 1), or familiarity with Gaelic and/or relevant cultural contexts (Role 2).
You're committed to ethical, inclusive, and participatory research, and eager to contribute to transformative policy engagement.

Additional information

To apply for one of the two positions, please submit your Curriculum Vitae (maximum 4 pages) with a letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages) and a case study proposal (maximum 1200 words, plus an additional reference list) as separate attachments. The case study proposal should outline 1-2 peatland area you would plan to focus on as part of the thematic focus of the project. For example, for Role 1 (Latin America), you might develop two páramo sites in Colombia and Péru, or one highland and one lowland site in Colombia, or one site in highland Patagonia and the other in high bofedales. For Role 2 (Europe) you could develop a blanket bog case in Ireland and another in Scotland, or one of these with a contrasting case. The case study proposal should include a context section with relevant literature, a case study section giving detail to the proposed site(s), a methodology section detailing proposed methodologies, and a list of references.

For informal enquiries please contact: Naomi Millner, naomi.millner@bristol.ac.uk

Contract type: Open ended with fixed funding until 31/12/2029

Work pattern: Full time / or will consider 80% time

Grade: J/Pathway 2

Salary: £42,882 - £48,149 per annum

School/Unit: Geographical Sciences

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 23/06/2025

Interviews are anticipated to take place 8th-9th July 2025

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

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