Research Associate

Role Description

Department 

The Department of Environment and Geography is seeking a Post-Doctoral Research Associate to work on the FixOurFood project, funded by UKRI. The FixOurFood Project is led by the University of York, which aims to transform the food system in Yorkshire and beyond.

The post is linked to Work Package 3: Metrics, which is led by Professor Sarah Bridle.

The successful candidate will be part of a supportive and community-oriented department that has a strong commitment to upholding our core values (embracing diversity, making a positive difference, environmental sustainability, being friendly and helpful, and always learning). Our department is highly integrated within an exciting array of environmental sustainability endeavours at our university, such as the Environmental Sustainability Academy at York and the Stockholm Environmental Institute (York), providing many opportunities for interdisciplinary working and networking across the university and beyond. The department is proud to hold an Athena Swan Silver Award. 

Role 

The role will support the York-based Co-Investigator and Work Package leader, Professor Sarah Bridle, in developing and delivering on research and engagement tasks and outputs in the FixOurFood Metrics Work Package. The successful applicant will work to increase and measure the impact of the FixOurFood AgriFood Calculator interface to the FixOurFood quantitative systems model, considering users from farmers, to citizens including young people. This will involve running workshops online and in person and capturing information on how opinions are affected by interacting with the calculator and associated materials. The postholder will contribute to reports and papers, as well as project milestones and deliverables. This role is fixed term until 31 January 2026.

Key duties are to:

• Conduct research under the supervision of senior colleagues and to contribute to the production of research.
• Assist in the identification and development of potential areas of research and the development of proposals for independent or collaborative research projects. 

This post is available at 100% FTE on a fixed term contract. Flexible working patterns and job sharing opportunities will be considered. 

Skills, Experience & Qualifications needed 

• A first degree in science or social science, and a PhD  in Sustainability or relevant equivalent experience.
• Knowledge in stakeholder engagement to tackle food climate impacts and engage in high quality research; a range of research techniques and methodologies; Broad knowledge of agrifood system climate impacts; relevant software for qualitative data analysis; and participatory monitoring, evaluation and learning methods
• Highly developed communication skills to engage effectively with wide-ranging audiences; an ability to publish in academic journals, develop and conduct individual and collaborative research, make presentations at conferences, use qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis, identify and secure research funding, and manage large datasets.
• Experience in undertaking and publishing independent and collaborative research, undertaking stakeholder engagement including citizens. 

For informal enquiries: please contact Professor Sarah Bridle: sarah.bridle@york.ac.uk

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork