Research Fellow

We are seeking a Research Fellow to work on integrating biodiversity and finance within green sector transitions. The post is fixed-term until 30 April 2026.

There is an estimated US$880 billion gap in conservation and environmental mitigation funding globally. Government, philanthropy and conservation charities cover US$120 billion/year yet biodiversity continues to decline. Mobilising private investment, which is presently small, is necessary to plug the massive shortfall. One of the main obstacles to incorporating biodiversity into the private sector is the lack of financial value attributed to biodiversity and biodiversity assets.

This biodiversity focused Research Fellow will work collaboratively with two other Research Fellows (one in finance, the other in economics) to assess the evidence necessary to incentivise private investors in funding Nature-based Solutions (NbSs), with a focus on measurable biodiversity outcomes.

Together, the Research Fellows will analyse linkages and drivers within the Finance-Biodiversity Nexus to assess opportunities and impediments to progress including suitable biodiversity metrics; the role and function of NBSs; identifying barriers and opportunities with respect to marketability within the financial sector.

This project is a collaboration with a wide range of academic partners.

About the person:

• Have, or be about to obtain*, a PhD  in Biodiversity, Conservation Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Environmental or Agricultural Economics or related subject area. (*must be obtained within 3 months of commencement of employment.)
• Hold substantial relevant research experience in the area of biodiversity and/or conservation or agri-environment academia, practice or policy.
• Have a proven track record of critical evaluation of evidence, for example, data collation, gathering case studies, database creation, meta-analysis, systematic review, quantitative statistical analyses.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information.

Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

What we offer:

Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/pay-reward-and-benefits/ . 

Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.

For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit www.qub.ac.uk/diversity .

If you are an international applicant and don't already hold a visa that permits you to take up the role you are applying for, please use the information provided on our website to self-assess whether the University is likely to be able to support a visa application - http://go.qub.ac.uk/internationalstaffsupport .

Candidate Information