Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full‑time, fixed‑term position as a Postdoctoral Researcher with Applied Ecology Unit, Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute at the University of Galway, Ireland.
This position is funded by Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and is available from 1/6/26 to 31/8/29.
Project Title
Collective Opportunities iN Nature & Environment for Community Transformations (CONNECT)
CONNECT is a medium‑scale multidisciplinary project, based at the Ryan Institute and the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Galway. The project team combines staff from the University of Galway (Academics and Student Services) and Foróige along with an independent consultant in Active Hope. The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with Environmental Science and Psychology staff and the Senior Postdoctoral Researcher.
The project aims to determine how to motivate community decision‑making and collective behavioural transitions for climate and environment; and to support communities to identify their pathways to climate action and transition to sustainable living, with a focus on nature restoration. This project involves youth and adults.
There Are Six Objectives
Explore youth and adult perceptions, attitudes, beliefs and values in relation to engaging in nature‑based pro‑environmental behaviour.
Identify patterns and processes in decision‑making around climate action policy, including wider community engagement for climate action initiatives.
Investigate methods to increase youth and adult engagement with citizen science in relation to biodiversity.
Compare the effects of theory‑based behavioural and eco‑psychological interventions in increasing youth and adult engagement with nature restoration and citizen science.
Research effects of engagement with nature restoration and citizen science (nature‑based solutions) on youth and adult wellbeing, community‑wide civic engagement and ecosystem health.
Validate study of citizen science nature‑based initiatives and data collection.
These Objectives relate to six work packages; two cover the whole project and relate to reporting and dissemination and four are linked to the following studies.
Study 1
To assess the impact of collective action on the natural environment; and compare similarities and differences between youth and adults in the context of collective engagement in environmental action.
Study 2
To identify patterns and processes in decision‑making around climate action policy, including wider community engagement for climate action initiatives.
Study 3
To investigate methods to increase youth and adult engagement with citizen science in relation to biodiversity impacts.
Study 4
To investigate effects of engagement with nature restoration and citizen science (nature‑based solutions) on youth and adult wellbeing, community‑wide civic engagement and ecosystem health.
Salary
Postdoctoral Researcher salary scale €46,805 – €59,654 per annum (subject to the project’s funding limitations), pro‑rata for shorter and/or part‑time contracts.
The default position for all new public sector appointments is the first point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale (subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale.
NB: Gárda vetting is a requirement for this post (as appropriate to Child Protection Policy).
Closing Date
Closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 (Irish Time) on 30/04/26.
Interviews
Interviews are planned to be held mid‑late May (after May 13th).
Please review full job description for further details and essential requirement.
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