Research Associate in Fluvial Ecology

Job details

Job title Research Associate in Fluvial Ecology

Job reference REQ
260349

Date posted 03/06/2026

Final date to receive applications 17/06/2026

Location Loughborough

Package Specialist and Supporting Academic Research grade 6 from £35,608 to £44,746.

Job description

School of Social Sciences and Humanities

Full-time and fixed term for 12-months, starting as soon as possible

This post provides an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong ecological and environmental science background to work on the 3-year NERC funded Pushing the Frontiers Project “The impact of cohesive material on critical shear stress in gravel bed rivers”.

This post will be based in the Department of Geography and Environment, but the successful applicant will spend the majority of their time working at Manchester Metropolitan University.

The post-holder is integral to the success of the project and will require high-level macroinvertebrate and sediment-process knowledge, with significant experience in fieldwork and physical experiments. The post holder will have a scientific degree or equivalent experience and a PhD in a relevant research area.

The Research Associate will undertake the specific tasks outlined in the project (see duties), assisted by the project investigator and will have access to an established researcher-development programme in which the RA will participate in terms of their personal development.

• You should have current or recent work experience at postgraduate level involving fieldwork and physical experiments associated with macroinvertebrate habitat and ecology.
• You should have excellent working knowledge of UK freshwater macroinvertebrate sampling and species level identification.
• You should be able to work away from home to complete fieldwork campaigns lasting several days, with overnight stays.

Staff from under-represented groups in higher education and the discipline, including those from racialised minorities, who have a physical or invisible disability, or are neurodivergent, are particularly encouraged to apply. The University is a Disability Confident employer, a member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion Scheme and holds Race Equality Charter and Athena SWAN bronze awards.

17 June 2026

week commencing 6 July 2026

At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community. Examples of our benefits include:

Generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme.

Access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities.

Through our range of life event leave policies as well as access to an on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options.

Discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support.

Access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting.