The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

Join a leading school of Geography and Planning to work on this major, new ESRC-funded Planning and Biodiversity project. This role offers an outstanding opportunity to contribute to a major project that will critically explore the introduction of new biodiversity policy, and ask whether the planning system can be reshaped to improve outcomes for nature.

You will be supported to produce world-leading research in a new and exciting area of study.

Becoming part of a project team involving two leading Universities, you will play a pivotal and valuable role in data collection, analysis, and the production of research outputs. Together we will work with a wider range of planning, ecology, and community partners to coproduce knowledge that will have a real impact on policy and practice.

The position offers the successful candidate a chance to benefit from wider career development opportunities through Sheffield’s Urban Studies Early Career Researcher Network, supporting researchers through a structured programme of activities.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Take a leading role in the co-design and conduct of research, in accordance with project objectives.
• Survey the research literature and environment, understand the theoretical and practical challenges associated with the project and subject area, and develop/implement suitable research strategies.
• Conduct primary research to support the project, and undertake analysis and interpretation of all data, maintain records and databases, and draft progress reports and papers as appropriate.
• Write up research findings/outcomes for publication in leading academic journals, professional publications, policy briefings, and the wider media.
• Work collaboratively with project partners to enhance research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit and identify opportunities for knowledge exchange.
• Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the project and wider community.
• Take a leading role in organising and managing team/group meetings and wider events (focus groups, interviews, workshops, policy sprints) to ensure the effective running of the project.
• Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the project and School.
• Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources for continuing research with the team, assisting in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies.
• Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post as agreed with the PI and Head of School.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• Have completed or be near to completing a PhD in planning, geography, urban studies, or a relevant field (assessed at: interview/application).
• Research expertise in urban planning, ecology/biodiversity, conservation or a relevant field (assessed at: interview/application).
• Experience of social science research methods and techniques, such as semi-structured interviews, surveys, focus groups, workshops (assessed at: interview/application).
• Ability to search, collect, organise, analyse, and critique academic, policy, and grey literature (assessed at: interview/application).
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, and experience of writing for different kinds of audience (academics, policymakers, practitioners, the general public, social media) (assessed at: interview/application).
• Ability to organise own workload, prioritise and work to deadlines both collaboratively and independently with a high degree of personal effectiveness (assessed at: interview/application).
• Ability to build networks and contribute to the planning and organisation of research and project events, e.g. workshops, seminars, and non-academic engagement activities (assessed at: interview/application).
• Evidence of high-quality research and of developing and publishing outputs in urban planning, human geography, conservation studies or a related field (assessed at: interview/application).
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving (assessed at: interview/application).
• Ability to work with academic and non-academic partners to agree and deliver project objectives (assessed at: interview/application).

Desirable criteria

• Specialist knowledge of biodiversity and planning policy (assessed at: interview/application).
• Experience conducting research with community-based partners around sensitive issues (assessed at: interview/application).

Further Information

Grade: 7

Duration: 30 months

Line manager: Project Principal Investigator

Direct reports: N/A

For informal enquiries about this job contact Malcolm Tait, Professor of Planning: on m.tait@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the closing date. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you are shortlisted for interview and require reasonable adjustments please contact gpl-ops@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
 

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society.
We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognizes and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.