Postdoctoral Research Associate - Indigenous Knowledge in Ecological Monitoring

University of York - Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity

Role Description

Post-doctoral Research Associate in Interweaving Indigenous and Local Knowledge with Ecological Monitoring

Research Centre & Department

The Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity is a collaborative research centre of academics from a wide range of disciplines funded by the Leverhulme Trust to increase knowledge of how the relationship between humanity and the natural world is changing, and how we might maintain and develop a sustainable Earth and bring about positive change. This position is linked to the Department of Biology, and will be line managed by Colin Beale (Biology) with mentorship from Lindsay Stringer and Hanna Pettersson (Environment & Geography), and Jack Hatfield (Biology).

Role

We seek an enthusiastic postdoc to create a holistic biodiversity metric for local communities and business. With advanced social and ecological research skills, specifically within the context of biodiversity metrics/natural capital, you will navigate complex stakeholder interactions, designing and delivering semi-structured interviews and collaborative co-design. You will have case study experience and ideas to weave standard ecological field techniques with participatory social science. You will work with a linked PDRA focusing on the development of new holistic metrics for ecosystem resilience.

You will:

• Identify barriers preventing businesses from incorporating qualitative data into biodiversity reporting.
• Review social and ecological impact assessment practice and co-design a conceptual hybrid metric system aligning the needs of corporate standard-setters with rights and knowledge systems of IPLCs
• Test the interwoven holistic metric through case studies in East Africa
• Evaluate how this metric enhances responsiveness and verifiability in corporate nature disclosures.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Undertaking individual and collaborative research to increase the understanding of how ILK can be interwoven with knowledge from ecological science.
• Writing up research findings and disseminating through publications, seminar and conference presentations, and through outreach activities.
• Collaborating with other researchers to increase the effectiveness of interdisciplinary research in the Centre.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications needed

• Undergraduate degree and PhD in an appropriate subject area.
• Knowledge of biodiversity metrics and work with Indigenous and Local Communities including relevant research methodologies and expertise.
• High competence in the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data
• Ability to write up research for high profile publications.
• Excellent communication skills with experience of engagement across disciplines and audiences.
• Ability to develop own and collaborative research, identify sources of funding and contribute to securing these with the assistance of a mentor if required.
• Experience of and capacity to carry out independent and collaborative research.

Applicants are requested to provide a short outline (max. 1 page; font size 11) describing their proposed approach to one or more of the research goals. The focus of the work will be developed collaboratively on appointment.

Interview date: June 2026. The post must commence by 30th Sept 2026.

For informal enquiries: please contact colin.beale@york.ac.uk