Restoring Hardknott Forest Project Assistant

University of Leeds - Faculty of Environment - School of Earth and Environment - Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science (ICAS)

Location:	Leeds
Salary:	£26,707 to £28,778 per annum (Grade 4)
Hours:	Full Time
Contract Type:	Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On:	9th April 2026
Closes:	16th April 2026
Job Ref:	ENVEE1870

Are you passionate about nature conservation? Do you want to help deliver an ambitious landscape-scale nature restoration project in the Lake District?

The Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery project is an ambitious, multi-partner project restoring habitats and nature to the Upper Duddon valley in the Lake District National Park. The project which is funded through Defra’s Landscape Recovery scheme, brings together farmers, the local community and environmental organisations to deliver large-scale restoration of habitats across a farmed and forested upland landscape in Cumbria. The project includes the National Trust, Forestry England, South Cumbria Rivers Trust, the University of Cumbria and Natural England.

You will work alongside a team of staff, contractors and volunteers to help deliver the Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery Project. You will help develop and deliver a programme of practical ecological restoration. Working alongside our project partners you will commission and manage specialist contractors to deliver restoration activities. You will contribute to the delivery of a vibrant volunteer programme. You will assist with a wide range of project monitoring and communicate project outputs to a range of stakeholders. You will have experience of practical conservation and ecological restoration projects and of working with volunteers in remote and sometimes challenging conditions.

Main duties and responsibilities

Your main duties will include:

• Contributing to the delivery of practical conservation activities including removal of invasive species, tree planting, fencing and dry stone walling;
• Helping to deliver a programme of volunteer events;
• Helping to maintain effective relationships with project partners and external stakeholders;
• Assist the Monitoring Officer with monitoring activities;
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge and experience of practical ecological restoration;
• Contributing to the safety and well-being of staff and volunteers in a remote outdoor location;
• Maintaining your own continuing professional development including attending training events and visits to similar projects.

These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the grade of the post.

What we offer in return

• 26 days holiday plus approx. 16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance – The University contributes 14.5% of salary.
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!

How to apply

You can apply for this role online; more guidance can be found on our How to Apply information page. Applications should be submitted by 23:59 (UK time) on the advertised closing date.

Please note: If you are not a British or Irish citizen, from 1 January 2021 you will require permission to work in the UK. This will normally be in the form of a visa but, if you are an EEA/Swiss citizen and resident in the UK before 31 December 2020, this may be your passport or status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Please note that due to Home Office visa requirements, this role is not suitable for first-time Skilled Worker visa applicants.

Information on other visa options is available at: www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas