Research Associate - Rights of Nature in the Anthropocene

Role Description

Research Centre & Department

The Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity is a research centre of academics from a wide range of disciplines collaborating 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.  The position is linked to the Stockholm Environment Institute - York Centre, and will be line managed by Alison Dyke  (SEI) with mentorship from Piran White (Environment and Geography) and Himani Bhakuni (Law School).

Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced postdoctoral researcher to explore how "rights of nature" legal frameworks can be successfully implemented through governance that respects biocultural relationships and what these specific relationships imply for the practical treatment and protection of biodiversity.  This work will focus on rivers as centres for human activity and cultural biodiversity.

 Key Responsibilities include:

• Plan, coordinate, develop, and undertake world-leading individual and collaborative research to increase the understanding of the cultural case for and biodiversity implications of rights of nature
• To write up research findings and disseminate through publications, seminar and conference presentations, and through outreach activities.
• To facilitate Centre objectives through development of ongoing interdisciplinary research, and identification of possible new areas of research.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications needed

• Undergraduate degree and PhD (submitted or awarded) in social sciences, environmental social sciences or law.
• Knowledge of biodiversity and environmental legal and governance structures.
• Experience and a high level of competency in using interdisciplinary and mixed-methods case study approaches, including the planning, collection and analysis of qualitative data, conducting semi-structured interviews and integrating analysis of existing studies with interviews and participatory workshops. 
• Ability to write up research for high profile publications and competency in presenting work at conferences/other appropriate events.
• Excellent communication skills with experience of engagement across disciplines and with non-academic 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 alison.dyke@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

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview.  Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.