Postdoctoral Research Fellow

We’re looking for a Post-Doctoral Researcher to join our Nature Towns and Cities team, helping to mobilise investment into urban nature. We aim to unlock wide societal benefits by improving health, building climate resilience and reducing carbon through green interventions. You’ll shape and deliver a research programme that builds investor confidence in the health and climate benefits of nature, supporting increased cross-sector investment.

This role is hosted by the National Trust and delivered in partnership with the University of Exeter’s Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions (Net+ Centre). It’s fixed term until September 2029, with flexibility to work either full time (2 years) or part time (up to 3 years). As this is a partnership role, we will be sharing your application with partners for assessment. Please specify in your application if you do not wish for this to happen.

What it's like to work here

Nature Towns and Cities is a coalition led by the National Trust, Natural England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Together, we aim to help millions more people access nature close to home in greener, healthier towns and cities.

You’ll work across the National Trust and the Net+ Centre in a collaborative, innovative environment that values learning and new ideas. Over the next decade, we aim to unlock £1bn of investment into urban greening and improve access to quality green space for 5 million people. Your work will play an important role in helping achieve these goals.

Your contractual location will be one of our hub offices near London, Birmingham, Manchester or Exeter. You’ll be required to work at a National Trust location for 40-60% of your working week and this can be discussed in more detail at interview. The role will require occasional travel for stakeholder engagement and collaborative activities, likely including some travel to Exeter for collaboration with academic colleagues.

What you'll be doing

You’ll lead the development of new approaches to funding and finance for urban nature, focusing on the links between climate, health and resilience. This includes exploring how investment decisions are made, identifying barriers and opportunities, and designing practical, scalable solutions to increase investment.

Working with a wide range of partners, you’ll gather insights, test ideas and help create a clear, evidence-based roadmap for growing investment over the next decade. You’ll also collaborate across disciplines, bringing together perspectives from research, policy and practice.

More detail on the framing of this research can be found in the information pack attached to this vacancy.

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.

Who we're looking for

We welcome applications from post-doctoral researchers from a range of backgrounds, including social sciences, economics, policy, systems change and finance. We’re particularly interested in experience related to funding, investment or social impact.

You’ll bring:

• A PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant field
• Knowledge of nature finance, climate resilience, health, urban nature or related areas
• A creative and collaborative approach to problem solving
• Strong communication skills and the ability to engage a range of audiences
• Experience working across teams and building partnerships
• A commitment to inclusive and equitable ways of working

If you’d like to speak to someone about this role, please contact anne.mackinnon@nationaltrust.org.uk

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places