Lecturer / Associate Professor of Biodiversity, Future Food Systems and Health

About us

The Division of Biosciences at UCL is a major centre for research and teaching in the biological sciences, fostering curiosity-driven research that spans molecules to ecosystems. Within Biosciences, the Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment (GEE) provides a world-leading environment for research and teaching across evolution, human genetics, healthy ageing, biodiversity and computational biology. We are recruiting a Lecturer (Assistant Professor equivalent) or Associate Professor in Biodiversity, Future Food Systems and Health to strengthen GEE’s capacity in in ecosystems, food systems and health, supporting the support the growth of the Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research’s People and Nature Lab at UCL East

About the role

Environmental change, biodiversity loss and food-system instability are creating new challenges for ecosystem, animal and human health. Yet the dynamics linking these processes remain poorly understood across natural, urban and managed systems, limiting our ability to predict risk and design effective interventions. To address this, GEE seeks to appoint a new academic colleague to build an ambitious research and teaching programme at the interface of biodiversity, ecosystems, food systems and health.

Based at the People and Nature Lab at UCL East, the successful candidate will develop experimental, place-based and/or quantitative approaches to understand how ecological systems can support resilience, sustainability and health across urban, natural and managed settings. This may include work on plant, pollinator, microbial or environmental health; ecological interactions and intervention; environmental monitoring and surveillance; or predictive and quantitative approaches to One Health. The post offers opportunities to use new state-of-the-art greenhouse, vertical farming and pollinator facilities at UCL East, alongside wider opportunities for field-based, urban and community-engaged research.

The successful candidate will establish (Grade 8) or expand (Grade 9) an independent, collaborative research programme within GEE with opportunities to contribute to a distinctive living lab environment at UCL East, and work across UCL with colleagues in computer science, geography, and health. We also welcome exceptional candidates working at the broader One Health interface, including those whose research links to wider strengths across GEE. The post holder will be expected to secure competitive research funding, supervise and mentor postgraduate researchers, contribute to research-led teaching and develop external engagement with conservation organisations, policy bodies and other partners.

For informal queries about the post, please contact Professor Ellousie Leadbeater (). If you require reasonable adjustments or an accessible application format, please contact the Faculty Human Resources team on

About you

You will have a PhD or equivalent qualification in a relevant field and an innovative research agenda in biodiversity, future food systems and health, with clear potential to advance interdisciplinary One Health research. You will have experience of research-led teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level, with a strong interest in interdisciplinary working, external engagement and translational impact. You will also show the potential to build collaborative partnerships, attract research funding, and contribute to an inclusive and ambitious academic environment.

What we offer: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/.