Associate Professor in Climate Change Ecology (

Job Number:

24001536)

Department of Biosciences

Grade 9: – £57,696 – £64,914 per annum

Open-Ended/Permanent – Full Time

Contracted Hours per Week: 35

Closing Date

: 31-Oct-2024, 11:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable. 

Working at Durham University   

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people’s lives.

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it’s also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community. 

Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.  

Our Purpose and Values 

We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Durham? information page. 

The Department 

The Department of Biosciences at Durham University seeks to appoint an Associate Professor with research and teaching interests broadly in the field of climate change ecology. The post is part of a significant and integrated University investment into the environmental and economic implications of ‘Just Transitions’ so we are particularly keen to hear from applicants with experience of macroecological modelling and interests in using theoretical or AI-based approaches to give biological focus to economic and legal instruments.

Our Department has around 50 academic staff and is ambitious and expanding, with an outstanding reputation in research, teaching, and student employability. Research is centred around four key themes: 1) ecology, evolution & environment, 2) animal cells & systems, 3) biomolecular interactions, and 4) molecular plant sciences (www.dur.ac.uk/biosciences/research/). There is a lively research culture with many visitors and events, and active and rewarding collaborations with other departments in Durham and with other scientists in the UK and internationally. We aim to provide an encouraging and friendly environment with a strong sense of community.

We also have a proud tradition of delivering research-led excellence in our undergraduate teaching. Attracting some of the best students in the UK, the Department’s teaching is regularly ranked among the best in its discipline (e.g. 5th in the 2025 Complete University Guide 2025, 4th in the most recent Guardian University Guide). As part of our expansion, we have launched a new MSc programme in Plant Biotechnology and are looking to develop further MSc programmes.

The Department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award. Athena SWAN is a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression and success for all in academia.

A strategic investment in Durham’s Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy: Just Transitions to a Net Zero World (JusTN0W)

Your research in our Department and University will contribute to strategically important research objectives as part of Durham’s internationally leading JusTN0W initiative (‘Just Transitions to a Net Zero World’), which is embedded in Durham’s Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy. (CSDLP). The CSDLP was founded in 2022 and operates as a research centre at the University level, with around 50 members from different disciplines.

The ambitious and interdisciplinary initiative JusTN0W is funded by a £5 million investment that will see seven academic staff appointed to lead Durham’s commitment to a better and fairer world in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. Our initiative brings together academic colleagues across Law, Economics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences to advance the knowledge and the implementation of just transitions to net zero at international, national and local levels. The work programme comprises four strands of work. Each strand sets forth a range of objectives, including grant capture activity and engagement with different partners. More information on JusTN0W can be found here (https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/csdlp/justn0w/).

You will be joining an interdisciplinary team of colleagues at an exciting moment where we are shaping and developing a cutting-edge research and impact agenda to attract sustainable research funding and leverage research capacity. We build on existing links into international governance frameworks such as the Conferences of Parties (COPs) under the umbrella of the international climate change regime. By collaborating and harnessing expertise across disciplines, the JusTN0W initiative will support your groundbreaking solutions to address the climate crisis.

Associate Professors at Durham

The University is committed to enabling all of our colleagues to achieve their full potential. We promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment to ensure that all colleagues can thrive. Academic colleagues are supported to publish world-class research in their area of interest with a focus on quality in high impact journals, rather than quantity. We will fully support your research needs including practical, help such as resources to attend conferences and to fund research activity, as well as a generous research leave policy and a designated mentor. All our Associate Professors are encouraged to focus on research, but also to engage in wider citizenship to enhance their own development, to support their department and wider discipline.

We are confident that our recruitment process allows us to attract and select the best international talent to Durham. We therefore offer a reduced probation period of 1 year for our Associate Professors and thereafter, subject to satisfactory performance, your position will be confirmed as permanent.

We strive to provide a working and teaching environment that is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate these key principles as part of the assessment process.

The role is full-time, but we will consider requests for flexible working arrangements including potential job shares.

Key responsibilities Associate Professor Grade 9:

• To make a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of JusTN0W.
• To make a significant contribution to capacity building and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities.
• To pursue interdisciplinary research that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour, commensurate with the Department’s continuing emphasis on international excellence;
• To make a significant contribution to the development of successful research project/ fellowship proposals in pursuit of suitable national and international funding opportunities to support research and end-user engagement.
• Because this specific position is aligned with the JusTN0W initiative, it will offer the new colleague an opportunity to focus on research and grant capture activity, with a significantly reduced teaching load for the first few years. After this period, the postholder must be able to deliver excellent teaching offering lectures, seminars and tutorials at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels. Contribute significantly to the development and delivery of high-quality teaching, including the design of excellent learning environments and curricula.
• Contribute to enhancing the quality of the research environment in the Department, the wider University and beyond. Contribute to establishing and leading research groups within and beyond the University, and engaging in the mentoring of early career researchers;
• To attract and provide excellent supervision to research students, and to enhance the Department’s commitment to its vibrant and international postgraduate culture.
• Contribute significantly to the administrative functioning and collegial environment of the Department and wider University, undertaking leadership activities which support the functioning of the Department and wider University.
• To fully engage in, champion and enhance the values of the Department;
• Carry out such other duties as specified by the Head of Department

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion 

Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.  

We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups. 

If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application. 

The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Employer status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. 

Person Specification

Candidates must demonstrate research excellence in the field of climate change ecology, with the ability to teach and to fully engage in the services, citizenship and values of the University. 

Research 

Candidates must have the capacity for and be progressing towards the independent development of internationally excellent research that produces high-quality outcomes, including some work that is recognised as world-class or that has world-class potential. As noted above, the post is part of a significant and integrated University investment into the environmental and economic implications of ‘Just Transitions’ so we are particularly keen to hear from applicants with experience of macroecological modelling and interests in using theoretical or AI-based approaches to give biological focus to economic and legal instruments.

Essential Research Criteria

1. Qualifications – a good first degree and a PhD in climate change ecology or a related subject.
2. Outputs – that are consistently recognised as internationally excellent, with at least one output regarded as world class. Candidates are asked to submit two research papers with their application (as outlined in the How to Apply section below). Candidates may additionally choose to submit evidence such as external peer review of their outputs
3. Personal Research Plan – evidence of a personal research plan which supports and enhances JusTN0W and the Department’s research strategy. The plan should be a maximum of two pages.
4. Income Generation – significant evidence of engagement in the development of successful research projects and quality research grant proposals commensurate with career stage.

Education 

Candidates must demonstrate significant contributions to the development and delivery of high-quality teaching with a demonstrable contribution to the design of excellent learning environments & curricula, including curriculum development, that enable students to achieve their potential.

Essential Education Criteria

1. Quality – making a significant contribution to the development and delivery of high-quality teaching at a nationally competitive level. Contribution to training, educating and mentoring other teachers in the department and/or the University in relationship to learning and teaching. (Candidates may choose to provide student evaluation scores and/or peer reviews of teaching).
2. Innovation – evidence of successful new programme development and innovation in teaching methods for the design / delivery of high-quality teaching at a nationally competitive level including lectures, small group learning and/or using technology or other techniques to enhance learning and/or assessment.
3. Strategic – Significant contribution to the design and delivery of excellent teaching activities and the creation of learning environments that enable students to achieve their potential.

Service, Citizenship and Values 

Active engagement in the administrative and citizenship requirements of the Department. Positive contributions to the University’s Purpose and Values and to fostering a respectful environment, as well as demonstrating a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. 

Essential Service, Citizenship and Values criteria

1. Citizenship contribution – a significant contribution to the collegial work and environment of an academic Department, Faculty or University. (Candidates may choose to evidence departmental or University roles, Faculty or University level committees or projects, mentoring activity, pastoral and academic support of students, engagement with widening participation, proactive support of the work of professional services colleagues, contributions to departmental programme management and/or strategic development, contribution to equality and diversity initiatives and membership or engagement with external bodies).
2. Leadership – evidence of leadership roles or a significant contribution to leadership activities that support the administrative functioning of an academic Department, Faculty or University and / or which support the development of the relevant discipline. (Candidates may choose to detail any leadership roles which they have undertaken, preferably in an academic context).
3. Communication – candidates must have excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage with a range of students and colleagues across a variety of forums.

Desirable Criteria 

The desirable criteria for this post (for which candidates should provide evidence of some if not all criteria) are: 

1. Research Leadership – significant contribution to establishing and leading research groups within and beyond the candidate’s institution, a recognised contribution to the development of the relevant research field (related to macroecological modelling and interests in using theoretical or AI-based approaches to give biological focus to economic and legal instruments), and engagement in the mentoring of early career researchers. Significant contribution to the development of successful research project / fellowship proposals. (Candidates may choose to include information about research group leadership, mentoring of research colleagues, invitations to external events, engagement with international networks or projects).
2. PhD Supervision – the successful recruitment and excellent supervision of PhD students.
3. Research Impact – evidence of a significant contribution to the development of research that has a demonstrable impact beyond the Candidate’s institution.
4. Interdisciplinary outlook – evidence of a willingness to work with an interdisciplinary team and across disciplines (this could be included in your personal research plan).

Contact Information 

Department contact for academic-related enquiries 

For academic enquiries, please contact Dr John Bothwell (j.h.bothwell@durham.ac.uk)

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application 

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk 

Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays). 

University contact for general queries about the recruitment process 

How to Apply 

We prefer to receive applications online. 

Please note that in submitting your application, we will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. 

What to Submit 

All applicants are asked to submit: 

• A CV
• A covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out above;
• Personal research plan.
• Two of your most significant pieces of written work. Where possible your written work should have been published or submitted since 2021, however work prior to 2021 may be submitted where candidates have had career breaks.
• An EDI & values statement – (of no more than 500 words) which outlines work in which you have been involved that demonstrates your commitment to EDI and our values, i.e. Involvement in quality, diversity, and inclusion activities such as mentoring, volunteering, or attending conferences

Where possible we request that you provide accessible web links to your publications, which the hiring Department will use to access your work. The application form contains fields in which to enter each of the web links.

Please note we are unable to access publications behind a paywall. 

In the event you are unable to provide accessible links to online hosting of your work, publications should be uploaded as PDFs as part of your application in our recruitment system.

Please ensure that your PDFs are not larger than 5mb. Your work may be read by colleagues from across the Department and evaluated against the current REF criteria; 

All application documents should be uploaded with your name and document type as PDF files. 

We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails. 

Referees 

You should provide 3 academic referees they should not (if possible) include your PhD supervisor(s). The majority should be from a University other than your own (save for early career applicants applying for their first post). 

References will be requested for candidates who have been shortlisted and will be made available to the panel during the interview process. 

As part of your application, you will be asked whether you give your consent to your academic references being sought should you be invited to attend an interview. We will only request references where permission has been granted. 

Next Steps 

All applications will be considered; our usual practice is for colleagues across the Department to read the submitted work of long-listed candidates. 

Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will normally include a presentation to staff and students in the Department followed by an interview and we anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place over two days in late 2024, with a preferred starting date early in 2025. 

In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date. 

Applicant Guidance 

For further guidance on your application please see HERE 

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