The School of Geography and the Environment (SoGE) is seeking to appoint a Senior Research Associate in the Equitable and Sustainable Development of Natural Resources to join our thriving academic community. The post will commence on 5 January 2026 (or later by mutual agreement) and will be offered for five years.
This post is one of four new Senior Research Associate positions being created as part of Oxford EARTH (Equitable Access to sustainable Resources for a Thriving Habitat), a new strategic research programme. While this role will be based within SoGE, the other three posts span across Chemistry, Materials, Engineering, and Earth Sciences. Oxford EARTH works in close partnership with other major strategic research programmes at Oxford, including Oxford Net Zero, the Zero Institute, and Sustainable Chemistry.
The successful candidate will undertake social science research on the inequalities and environmental impacts of natural resource development, with the goal of advancing more equitable and sustainable approaches to meeting the needs of the global energy transition.
We welcome applications from creative researchers working in the broad field of natural resource management, including (but not limited to):
* Economic geography
* Economics and policy of resource management
* Circular economy
* Natural resource law
* Mineral resource-driven economic development
We particularly encourage applications from candidates working at the forefront of resource management and innovation, with expertise in areas such as:
* Natural resource business models
* Sustainable supply chains
* Revenue management
* Community rights and development
The successful applicant will also have the opportunity to engage in collaborative, interdisciplinary research with colleagues in the physical sciences, and may contribute to teaching and demonstrations on relevant natural resource topics.
Dr Caitlin McElroy, Professor Rick van der Ploeg, or Dr Thom Wetzer. All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence and will not form part of the selection process.
This post is fixed-term for 5 years and offered on a full-time basis.
What We Offer
As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees' well-being, and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:
* An excellent contributory pension scheme
* 38 days annual leave
* A comprehensive range of childcare services
* Family leave schemes
* Cycle loan scheme
* Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans.
Application Process
You will be required to upload a covering letter with a supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. In your supporting statement, please explain how you meet each of the selection criteria found in the job description, and why you would like to do this role.
The University of Oxford and The School of Geography and the Environment are Silver Athena SWAN holders. Applications are particularly welcome and encouraged from women, black, and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in posts in The School of Geography and the Environment. The School of Geography and the Environment are committed to equality and values diversity
The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on 20 October 2025. Only applications submitted by this time will be considered.
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