Postdoctoral Research Fellow

About the role

The National Trust, in partnership with the University of Exeter’s Net+ Centre, is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the Nature Towns and Cities team. You will help mobilise investment into urban nature, linking health, climate resilience and carbon reduction through green interventions.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development of new funding and finance approaches for urban nature projects.
• Analyse investment decision processes, identify barriers and opportunities, and design scalable solutions.
• Gather insights from a wide range of partners, test ideas and produce an evidence‑based roadmap for investment growth over the next decade.
• Collaborate across research, policy and practice disciplines to integrate health and climate benefits into investment cases.
• Engage with stakeholders through occasional travel, including visits to Exeter for academic collaboration.

Required profile

• Post‑doctoral researcher with expertise in environmental finance, climate health, or related fields.
• Ability to work across the National Trust and the Net+ Centre in a collaborative, innovative environment.
• Willingness to work from a hub office near London, Birmingham, Manchester or Exeter and travel as needed.
• Strong analytical and communication skills to translate research into practical investment strategies.

Required skills

What we offer

• Fixed‑term contract until September 2029 with flexible full‑time or part‑time options.
• Opportunity to shape a high‑impact research programme influencing £1 bn of urban greening investment.
• Access to a multidisciplinary network of partners across conservation, government and finance.