Principal Senior Researcher (Part-time)

University of East London (UEL)  is a vibrant, diverse, and forward-thinking institution dedicated to transforming lives through exceptional education and career-focused opportunities. As a careers-first university, we have been proudly preparing students for the jobs of the future for 125 years.

UEL has always been at the forefront of innovation, and our ambitious Vision 2028 strategy underscores our commitment to reshaping education for the benefit of all. We empower students from all backgrounds with the skills and opportunities to excel in today’s dynamic world.

Our dedication to excellence is reflected in our achievements. We are proud to be recognised as the University of the Year for Teaching Quality in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

Additionally, UEL ranks:

• 1st in London for Student Experience (National Student Survey 2024), and
• 3rd in London for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025)

About Us

UEL’s Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) drives research and innovation in eco-efficient technologies to support a carbon-neutral society. Since 2001, we have delivered impactful projects, collaborated with industry, and built a strong international reputation.

Our work focuses on three key themes:

• Green Infrastructure – including peatland ecology, urban green spaces, and conservation.
• Sustainable Materials & Resources – covering materials engineering and the circular economy.
• Sustainable Society – exploring governance, community engagement, and climate adaptation.

About You

We are seeking an experienced researcher in peatland ecology, land use change, or environmental socioeconomics to take a leadership role within SRI.

You will:

• Have expertise in nature-based solutions for land use change, particularly in peatland and agricultural landscapes.
• Be skilled in socio-economic analysis (SEA) and environmental impact assessment.
• Communicate research effectively to diverse audiences.
• Thrive in a multi-disciplinary environment, collaborating with partners and stakeholders.
• Have experience securing research funding and managing projects.

About the Role

As a key member of SRI, you will:

• Lead and contribute to ongoing research projects and work-packages.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research, publishing and presenting findings.
• Build collaborations with partners and secure external funding.
• Strengthen Green Infrastructure & Sustainable Society research themes.
• Support teaching, knowledge exchange, and income generation at UEL.
• Mentor early-career researchers and students. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to shape sustainability research and make a real-world impact.

Benefits Package

At UEL, we believe that a great role is about more than just a salary. It’s about the complete package, including our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture. We offer a genuinely competitive salary, dependent on experience (DOE), and a range of excellent benefits.

You can explore our full benefits package here: https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-professional-services-positions

Equal Opportunities

UEL is an inclusive equal opportunities employer and are proud of our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity achievements, including: zero gender pay gap, members of Stonewall and have won Athena Swan awards. We expect all employees of UEL to accept our EDI policy and will not tolerate discrimination in any form.

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

To contact the recruitment team please phone +44 20 8223 3000 x 4600 or e-mail jobs@uel.ac.uk

CVs without a completed application form will not be accepted.

At UEL we are committed to working together to build a community which values diversity in both our staff and student populations, is representative and inclusive, enabling all to progress and thrive.