Research Synthesis Specialist; Research Associate

The University of Leicester is seeking to recruit a Research Synthesis Specialist for the Land Use for Net Zero, Nature and People Hub (LUNZ Hub, ) as part of a large UK-wide consortium. The LUNZ Hub is coordinating the LUNZ Programme and its research projects and is supporting the land use transition in the four nations of the UK by bringing together experts from a range of industries and sectors, as well as different scientific, social and economic disciplines.

The Hub is co-led by the James-Hutton-Institute and the University of Leicester.

This post will work closely with the LUNZ Hub consortium by designing, conducting and writing up a systematic synthesis of the LUNZ Programme outputs (including the Hub and the research projects) and outline their relevance to emerging land use policy documents in the devolved administrations of the four nations of the UK and central government. The purpose is to lead the production of a co-authored report and/or journal manuscript together with senior experts in this field.

This position is an important leadership position of the synthesis activities in the LUNZ Hub and you will be expected to be able to design a credible research synthesis approach, obtain materials, and produce draft written material, as well as managing the process of other authors contributing to the report and/or journal publication.

You will also be joining the Institute for Environmental Futures at the University of Leicester, which undertakes excellent research that is changing lives to achieve transformative impacts. Led by Prof. Balzter, the institute brings together ≈200 researchers from social, natural and life sciences in a transdisciplinary research environment to seek solutions to the climate and extinction crisis. Our research facilities include the £100M Space Park Leicester.

You will hold a PhD degree or equivalent and have a background in a relevant discipline to this project (equivalent professional experience is acceptable). We are looking for someone with strong critical thinking skills, a credible understanding of research synthesis approaches, and the ability to review and synthesise large amounts of complex information. You will need excellent writing skills and have an understanding of land use issues in the four nations of the UK in the context of climate and nature policies.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Professor Heiko Balzter on

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found here.

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer:

• competitive salary package
• excellent pension scheme
• generous annual leave allowance

along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Full-time or job share, fixed term contract from 13 November 2026 to 28 February 2027