Do you have a passion for peatlands? Would you like to accelerate evidence based lowland peat renewal? With thanks to funding from the Nature Recovery Project this unique role will drive insight and impact for the recovery of lowland peat in National Trust care and beyond. We’re looking for an experienced postdoctoral researcher to join the team to advance knowledge on lowland peatland protection and recovery and apply this to maximise benefits for nature and people. You’ll design and deliver research that increases understanding of approaches to scalable lowland peat recovery such as paludiculture and nature renewal. Working in partnership with other researchers and wider stakeholder groups you’ll help identify where and how the National Trust can play a more significant role in lowland peat recovery in the longer term. What it's like to work here National Trust manage iconic lowland peatland nature reserves such as Wicken Fen and works in partnership in the Somerset Levels and Lancashire Peatlands. We have a key role to play in improving lowland peat landscapes so that they are both rich in nature and support thriving people and communities. Based in the Nature & Science team you’ll report to our Senior National Consultant for Nature Conservation and will work closely with operational teams and academic, statutory and practitioner partners. Your primary contractual base will be at our head office in Swindon or another National Trust regional hub. We are committed to supporting flexible and hybrid working arrangements that align with both individual preferences and organisational needs. As this is a national role, there is flexibility on your contractual place of work. Our hybrid working policy means you can balance office and home working with site visits and meetings at other National Trust places. We’ll talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40–60% of your working week. The role will require travel to work with our teams in lowland peat landscapes – particularly the Cambridgeshire Fens and Somerset levels – and for collaborative work with partners across England. This is a fixed term role for three years. What you'll be doing: You will synthesise existing evidence, critically evaluate both established and emerging solutions and identify research and evidence gaps. You’ll design and deliver practice-based research at applied research sites in the Cambridgeshire Fens and Somerset Levels and help develop a longer-term strategic research funding pipeline and wider research network. You’ll work with partners and National Trust teams based in lowland peat landscapes to understand enablers and blockers to delivery to help shape research priorities. You’ll also map current activity across England’s lowland peatlands and shape the Trust’s strategic role in this space. Clear communication of insights and best practice will be key to influencing real-world outcomes. Who we're looking for You’ll be a talented post-doctoral researcher, with a strong track record in large-scale ecosystem restoration and a good understanding of peatland-specific issues, including hydrology and biogeochemistry. You’ll be interested in working within and beyond your own fields of research to solve the real-world challenges of lowland peatland recovery. You will demonstrate: Specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop/follow research programmes and methodologies A record of research output in high quality publications Experience of managing research projects Track record of collaboration in applied research and a good network of cross sectoral contacts and relationships Ability to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of stakeholders Ability to participate in and develop internal and external networks and communities of practice The package The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too. Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18) Rental deposit loan scheme Season ticket loan EV car lease scheme Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria. Flexible working whenever possible Employee assistance programme Free parking at most Trust places