ERI Postdoctoral Research Associates; PDRA or Research Fellows x3

ERI Postdoctoral Research Associates (PDRA) or Research Fellows x3

Reference no.: NWH ERI 01

Salary range: PDRA - £42,211 - £46,308, per annum or Research Fellow - £47,072 - £51,616, per annum

Duration: Permanent

Working hours: 35 hours per week

Location: Thurso or Stornoway (role dependant, further details in recruitment pack)

Closing Date: 5pm, Friday 17th July 2026

Position: We are seeking x3 Postdoctoral Research Associates/Research Fellows, organised around four interconnected Themes. This will be based at our Stornoway or Thurso campus, dependant on Theme.

Responsibilities: ERI’s research is organised around four interconnected themes:
Peatlands, Pollution, Energy and Society. Together these themes reflect our place-based approach. We combine environmental science with social, economic, and cultural understanding to support sustainable development across rural, coastal, and island regions.

We now seek to expand our research capacity through up to three new appointments that will strengthen ERI’s leadership in the above themes and / or in cross cutting topics such as sustainability, the circular economy and One Health.

These roles offer outstanding opportunities to develop independent research profiles within a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment. Successful candidates will contribute to internationally recognised research while working closely with regional partners and communities.

Qualifications,

Experience and Skills:

Appointments will be made at either Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) or Research Fellow level depending on experience, track record, and career stage.

PDRA appointments may suit early career researchers with a PhD who are seeking to build their research profile within a collaborative research team.

Research Fellow appointments may suit candidates with a more established research track record who can demonstrate the capacity to lead research activity, secure external funding, and contribute to postgraduate supervision and partnership development.

Benefits of working for us:

45 days annual leave per year (pro rata for part-time staff)

Local Government Pension Scheme (Highland Council)

10% Membership Discount at Highlife Highland

Occupational sick pay scheme and family friendly leave provisions

Staff Support and Employee Assistance Programmes

Employment Benefits Scheme including lifestyle savings and Cycle to Work Scheme

Researchers benefit from:

Access to exceptional field sites including the Flow Country World Heritage Site ad the Pentland Firth

Strong interdisciplinary collaboration across environmental science, engineering, and social science

Partnerships with government, industry, and communities

Involvement in national and international research networks

Opportunities to shape research that informs policy and practice