"Post Doctoral Research Associate in Evidence and Policy for Nature Recovery"

Post Doctoral Research Associate in Evidence and Policy for Nature Recovery

The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery (LCNR) at the University of Oxford is seeking an outstanding postdoctoral researcher to help shape the future of environmental policy at a moment of profound ecological and political change. Working with Professor Yadvinder Malhi and a dynamic interdisciplinary team, you will analyse how existing policies for nature recovery are performing in practice and identify what it will take to deliver long-term, transformative change. Your research will engage directly with the architecture of nature recovery policy in the UK — from Environmental Land Management Schemes and Local Nature Recovery Strategies to Biodiversity Net Gain and emerging carbon and biodiversity markets — asking whether these instruments collectively add up to recovery, where the gaps lie, and how they can be strengthened.

This role sits at the intersection of analysis and influence. You will examine the ecological, social and economic consequences of policy choices, explore how policies endure or unravel amid political polarisation and economic stress, and help design approaches that are both effective and politically resilient. Alongside this, you will contribute to the Centre’s science–policy catalyst work, coordinating rapid evidence syntheses, fostering dialogue between researchers and decision-makers, and ensuring Oxford’s research informs real-world decisions.

We are looking for a researcher with deep expertise in environmental or nature recovery policy, strong interdisciplinary instincts, and the ability to translate complex evidence into clear, policy-relevant insight. This is an ideal opportunity for a scholar who wants to shape academic debate while directly engaging with policymakers, practitioners and communities to support meaningful change.

If you are motivated by the challenge of turning evidence into action for nature recovery, we would be delighted to hear from you.

This post is fixed term for 12 months upon start date and offered on a full time basis (1 FTE / 37.5 hours)

What We Offer
As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ well-being, and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:
• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans.

Application Process
You will be required to upload a covering letter with a supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. In your supporting statement, please explain how you meet each of the selection criteria found in the job description, and why you would like to do this role. See guidance at https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/cv-and-supporting-statement.

Any technical questions related to this vacancy can be sent to: recruit@ouce.ox.ac.uk

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on 12 February 2026. Only applications submitted by this time will be considered.

The University of Oxford and The School of Geography and the Environment are Silver Athena SWAN holders. Applications are particularly welcome and encouraged from women, black, and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in posts in The School of Geography and the Environment. The School of Geography and the Environment are committed to equality and values diversity

Contact Person: HR Officer
Vacancy ID: 184260
Closing Date & Time: 12-Feb-2026 12:00
Pay Scale: RESEARCH GRADE 7
Contact Email: recruit@ouce.ox.ac.uk
Salary (£): 39424 - 47779

Click on the link(s) below to view documents:
184260 - PDRA in Evidence and Policy for Nature Recovery JD (501.8 KB)