Research Associate at University of Kent

Hours per Week: 21

Contract Type: Fixed-Term – Ends 31/08/2027

Are you an experienced Research Associate in a field of study relevant to urban nature who is available for a fixed term contract to assist in an international research project on nature and mental wellbeing?  Do you hold strong quantitative and qualitative research skills and a good understanding of the debate around green social prescribing and/or nature and mental health and wellbeing?  If yes, then this role will be ideal for you.

The University of Kent, School of Arts and Architecture invites applications for a Research Associate to work on the interdisciplinary 4-year Horizon Europe project GreenME (Advancing green care in Europe: an integrated multi-scalar approach for the expansion of nature-based therapies to improve mental health equity). Collaborating with Dr Silvio Caputo, you will have a key role in delivering the work package 4, and in supporting work in other work packages.

Work package 4 focuses on the development of spatial analyses in selected case studies as well as large-scale citizens’ surveys on the use of green and blue infrastructures, the mental health benefits deriving from them, & people’s perspectives on natures health benefits and barriers individuals have to accessing nature. The spatial analysis also requires auditing a sample of green and blue spaces, therefore availability to travel within the UK to visit such spaces is necessary.

As a Research Associate you can expect to be involved in:

• Participating in core GreenME (online and in person) project meetings and organising project meetings when held at the University of Kent
• Liaising with the project team as well as with key stakeholders, particularly with the urban farmers managing the farms selected for case studies
• Supporting the design and organisation of surveys, including contacts with local authorities and community groups to recruit participants to the surveys
• Gathering datasets to store and analyse in GIS for selected case studies
• Representing the research team at meetings with external stakeholders & disseminating project findings in academic and non-academic relevant events

What will you bring to the role?

• PhD or equivalent (completed or close to completion) in a field of study relevant to urban nature and mental health and wellbeing
• Knowledge relating to one or more of the following: nature and health, care farming, planning for urban green infrastructure, perceptions of urban nature
• An understanding of aspects of green social prescribing and/or nature and mental health and wellbeing debate relevant to the project at a national and international level

What we can offer in return:

As a member of our team, you can expect a friendly, open & collaborative working environment and support in your development and wellbeing. You’ll enjoy a range of great staff benefits including:

• Hybrid working options allowing a flexible blend of office & home working (to be agreed in line with business needs)
• 43 days’ leave per year (personal leave, bank holidays & additional days allocated for the Christmas period, pro rata for part-time staff)
• Excellent pension scheme with generous employer contributions
• Corporate employee-funded healthcare plan, in partnership with Benenden Health

For more information about what you can look forward to if you join us, visit our dedicated webpage: Working at Kent

We are ambitious for our people, our communities and the region we serve – join us in making the world a better place.

Visit our website for more on who we are: http://www.kent.ac.uk/about/