Research Associate, University of Kent

Are you an experienced Research Associate in a field of study relevant to urban nature who is available for a fixed term contract to assist in an international research project on nature and mental wellbeing?  Do you hold strong quantitative and qualitative research skills and a good understanding of the debate around green social prescribing and/or nature and mental health and wellbeing?  If yes, then this role will be ideal for you.

The University of Kent, School of Arts and Architecture invites applications for a Research Associate to work on the interdisciplinary 4-year Horizon Europe project GreenME (Advancing green care in Europe: an integrated multi-scalar approach for the expansion of nature-based therapies to improve mental health equity). Collaborating with Dr Silvio Caputo, you will have a key role in delivering the work package 4, and in supporting work in other work packages.

Work package 4 focuses on the development of spatial analyses in selected case studies as well as large-scale citizens’ surveys on the use of green and blue infrastructures, the mental health benefits deriving from them, and people’s perspectives on natures health benefits and barriers individuals have to accessing nature. The spatial analysis also requires auditing a sample of green and blue spaces, therefore availability to travel within the UK to visit such spaces is necessary.

As a Research Associate you can expect to be involved in:

Participating in core GreenME (online and in person) project meetings and organising project meetings when held at the University of KentLiaising with the project team as well as with key stakeholders, particularly with the urban farmers managing the farms selected for case studiesSupporting the design and organisation of surveys, including contacts with local authorities and community groups to recruit participants to the surveysGathering datasets to store and analyse in GIS for selected case studiesRepresenting the research team at meetings with external stakeholders and disseminating project findings in academic and non-academic relevant events

What will you bring to the role?

PhD or equivalent (completed or close to completion) in a field of study relevant to urban nature and mental health and wellbeingKnowledge relating to one or more of the following: nature and health, care farming, planning for urban green infrastructure, perceptions of urban natureAn understanding of aspects of green social prescribing and/or nature and mental health and wellbeing debate relevant to the project at a national and international level

What we can offer in return:

As a member of our team, you can expect a friendly, open and collaborative working environment and support in your development and wellbeing. You'll enjoy a range of great staff benefits including:

Hybrid working options allowing a flexible blend of office and home working (to be agreed in line with business needs)43 days' leave per year (personal leave, bank holidays and additional days allocated for the Christmas period, pro rata for part-time staff)Excellent pension scheme with generous employer contributionsCorporate employee-funded healthcare plan, in partnership with Benenden Health

For more information about what you can look forward to if you join us, visit our dedicated webpage: Working at Kent

We are ambitious for our people, our communities and the region we serve – join us in making the world a better place. Visit our website for more on who we are: http://www.kent.ac.uk/about/

Please see the links below to view the full job description and to apply for this post. For further information regarding the application process, please contact peopleserviceshr@kent.ac.uk quoting reference number SAA-003-25-R2.

Closing Date: 03 Apr 2025

Section: Research

Salary: £38,205 to £42,978 per annum pro rata