Research Assistant - Peatlands; sick cover

Research Assistant - Peatlands (sick cover)

Reference no.: NWH RPE 01

Salary range: £32,891 - £33,754 per annum, pro-rata

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

Position: 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. To support some of these projects, we now seek to appoint a Research Assistant (Sick Cover Replacement). The successful candidate will be based in Thurso with the team.

Responsibilities: The post holder will be responsible for assisting within a research team and working on an established research programme under general supervision. Managing their own activities and prioritising their own workload within agreed objectives to ensure that all activities are completed to deadlines. Assisting within a research project, by, for example, undertaking literature reviews, collecting and collating data and undertaking and recording the outcomes of experiments.

Assisting with the supervision of student projects and the delivery of introductory classes.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills: 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