Research Assistant - Peatlands; sick cover; UHI North, West and Hebrides

UHI North, West and Hebrides is one of ten academic partners and research centres that make up UHI. This unique partnership allows us to deliver further and higher education programmes at our 19 campuses and centres across the North and West Highlands, Skye and the Outer Hebrides.

The Environmental Research Institute (ERI) is part of UHI North, West and Hebrides, Thurso, one of the academic partners of UHI. Our mission is to ‘provide dynamic leadership in research, innovation and education that advances understanding and informs management of our natural environment’. Within the ERI’s, the ‘Peatlands’ team seeks to provide underpinning evidence that can drive changes in policy and practice to ensure a resilient future for the peatlands of the Highlands and Islands region, and a just transition for its people.

Our work involves many collaborative, field-based research projects in the Flow Country UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Reference no. NWH RPE 01

Duration:
Temporary until March 2027 for sick cover

Working hours:

28 hours per week

Location:

Thurso, ERI Castle Street

Closing Date: 5pm, Thursday 6th August 2026

To support our work we are recruiting to the following role:
Research Assistant (Sick Cover Replacement). The successful candidate will be based in Thurso with the team and will work on an established research programme under general supervision.

• Assist within a research team and manage own activities and workload within agreed objectives to meet deadlines.
• Conduct literature reviews, collect and collate data, and record outcomes of experiments.
• Supervise student projects and deliver introductory classes.

The suitable candidate will have a degree and may have some previous relevant work experience.

• 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

Informal queries can be made to Prof. Roxane Andersen by email prior to submitting an application:

Interviews will be held from 17th August 2026 in Thurso.