We’re seeking Natural Capital Researchers across Remote Sensing/ GIS, Ecology, Social Science/Economics and Applied & Environmental Soil Science who are seeking a career in the emerging and exciting area of natural capital.

As a Natural Capital Researcher, you will have the opportunity to work within a vibrant interdisciplinary community of engaged researchers tackling some of the most urgent and exciting interlinked global environmental challenges. Sitting within our Land Use and sustainability team you will contribute to the delivery of natural capital projects for key public and private sector stakeholders and have exposure to our innovative response to the rapidly changing policy developments in environmental land management, tree health, food safety and biosecurity.

The Land Use team comprises experts in remote sensing and GIS, ecological and agricultural surveys, social science/economics, and data analysis/modelling. The team conducts research into new and sustainable ways to monitor and manage natural capital under land use change and emerging risks while minimising impact on health, environment, and businesses. The research is used to inform policy development by government and sustainability related business decisions for sustainable land use management and across the food supply chain.

Fera Science Ltd researches from farm to fork, we help to protect the food we eat and the world in which we live. Join Fera and play an important role in biosecurity and helping protect our farming and natural environment. This protection is critical for the future of our food supply and all the animals and plants that live alongside us. We're proud of our heritage stretching back over 100 years, we make a difference to everyone; delivering science for the public good and tackling all sorts of risks, including plant pests, diseases and chemicals that threaten our food security and natural environment. We're a caring and responsible company committed to making the world a better, healthier and safer place. Innovation is at the core of Fera's science.

Job title:

Natural Capital Researcher

Job Description:

What you’ll be doing:

• Contributing to the delivery of research projects in the Land Use & Sustainability team
• Applying a range of research techniques to gather relevant information, including data analysis, document analysis, surveys, focus groups and interviews
• The analysis and evaluation of research and interpretation of data, including working with inter-disciplinary teams to agree interpretations and derivations of key metrics
• Using IT and communication skills to create clear and engaging presentations and reports tailored to different stakeholders and customers
• Contribute to publishing research findings
• Contributing to the development of methods and proposals in response to customer needs

The above duties will differ depending on your area of expertise and specific to your discipline

What we’re looking for:

• Preferably, you will be either a MSc or PhD graduate with working knowledge and expertise in the aforementioned discipline areas
• Experience in contributing to the design, development and implementation of quantitative/qualitative methodologies and mixed methods research
• A clear and concise approach to conducting analysis
• The ability to summarize research findings and effectively communicate these in a clear and compelling manner to stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills are key as well as the ability to synthesize results and write effective project reports and manuscripts
• You will be a collaborator and work effectively with interdisciplinary research teams
• Excellent attention to detail and comfortable working with data
• Flexibility to be able to travel for field work (possibly internationally)
• Experience using statistical software packages such as R-studio would be desirable 
• The capability of designing and managing medium scale or more complex projects, applying best practices and translating policy requirements would also be desirable

Desirable disciplinary skills:

Remote sensing / GIS:

• Experience using analysis software such as ESRI ArcGIS is preferable
• Experience of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle operations would also be a distinct advantage.

Ecology:

• Demonstratable knowledge of ecology and monitoring methods in the context of natural capital/ecosystem services
• An understanding of how interventions impact on farmers and farm management.
• A background in quantitative ecology is also advantageous

Social Science/economics

• Experience and expertise in the application of quantitative and/or qualitative methods in an environmental setting particularly with respect to the analysis of natural capital. 
• The ability to select and justify appropriate methods for the problem at hand is important.

Applied & Environmental Soil Science

• Preferably your soil science expertise is environmental systems based, encompassing the range of scales from landscape to microbiome.
• Our ideal candidate would be able to connect natural capital and ecosystem functioning to soil biological health, demonstrating a broad understand of soil systems and an ability to translate this to a range of stakeholders including policy makers and practitioners.

About Fera

Fera are part of Capita Plc, a leading UK provider of technology enabled business services. We’re supporting and improving the lives of millions of people every day and we can only do this with the right people in place, working towards a shared goal. We encourage an open, honest working environment where everyone can be true to themselves and people are valued for their differences. We’re always challenging each other to learn and improve, because we know when we work together, we can deliver better outcomes. We work across such a huge range of businesses and sectors, that you’ll have the opportunity to grow and develop your career in any number of directions.

What’s in it for you?

• A competitive basic salary £28-£40k DOE
• 23 days holiday (rising to 27) with the opportunity to buy extra leave
• The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice
• Company matched pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks’ fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeks…and plenty more
• Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle – from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology
• Access to our Employee Network Groups, which represent every strand of diversity and allow colleagues to connect and learn from each other on an open, inclusive platform
• The role is based at our world class site near York, UK with access to start-of the-art facilities. Remote working may also be considered, providing there is willingness to travel when required

You’ll get the chance to follow your chosen career path anywhere in Capita. You’ll be joining a network of 63,000 experienced, innovative and dedicated individuals across multiple disciplines and sectors. There are countless opportunities to learn new skills and develop in your career, and we’ll provide the support you need to do just that. Our purpose is to create a better outcome for you.

What we hope you’ll do next:

Choose ‘Apply now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you.

Anticipated start date for these roles will be January 2022, however, we recommend summitting your application as early as possible.

We’re an equal opportunity employer, which means we’ll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and their passion for creating better outcomes, and we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.