Research Fellow in Rural Development - Edinburgh

Title: Research Fellow in Rural Development

Type: Full time / Permanent

Salary: £39,977 - £43,731 per annum

Location: Edinburgh Campus

REF: ACF/REES/005/23

SRUC is unique in Scotland and one of the largest organisations of its kind in Europe. Our ambitious and exciting vision is to work at local, national and international levels, leading innovation and sustainable development in agriculture and rural sectors.

The Rural Policy Centre (RPC) is looking to recruit a Research Fellow in Rural Development with a strong skillset particularly focused on quantitative data collection, analysis and visualisation. This might include statistical analysis and coding, mapping and GIS, and social network analysis.

We require an individual who has undertaken analysis of economic and social change at regional level, with a particular focus on understanding the dynamics of rural communities and economies, including land-related issues. While having particular skills and experience in quantitative analysis, the postholder will need to be willing to work in a multi-method way alongside researchers from other disciplines (including agricultural economics, ecology, geography, sociology, etc.) in the RPC, the wider Rural Economy, Environment and Society Department and elsewhere in SRUC’s Academic and SAC Consulting Divisions.

The postholder will explore regional and rural development issues in Scotland, with a particular focus on improving understanding of the key challenges and opportunities facing rural businesses, economies and communities (e.g. the characteristics and potential of rural enterprises; land-related issues, including changing land values; persistent rural challenges such as housing, connectivity, poverty and exclusion, depopulation, geographical peripherality; and local/regional food economies). The postholder will be a key member of the team of research staff delivering work in ‘Theme E: Rural Futures’ of the Scottish Government Rural Affairs, Food and Environment Portfolio Strategic Research Programme 2022-27, as well as potentially working in other parts of Programme. The postholder will ideally have experience of using R (including coding), undertaking network analysis and developing creative and novel data analysis/visualisation techniques.

The postholder will be expected to contribute to policy- and practice-focused knowledge exchange activities, including: writing policy briefings and evidence-based opinion-pieces; web, blog and social media work; and the development of our Rural Exchange, a web portal for large-scale citizen science on rural and island issues. The postholder will need to be a skilled and confident writer, able to effectively communicate complex research findings to academic audiences as well as key messages to policy-makers and politicians.

The postholder will be expected to work both independently and with colleagues to generate external research income, publish in high quality peer-reviewed academic journals and to engage in the teaching and supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The successful applicant will have a PhD (or SCQF Level 12) in a relevant discipline and ideally relevant post-doctoral research experience exploring rural socioeconomic change in the UK and/or EU/OECD countries. Essential requirements for the post include: a proven ability to win research funds; a strong background in quantitative data collection and analysis; and a sound publication track record.

Alongside these attributes, applicants must demonstrate: a thorough knowledge of a range of regional and rural development issues relevant to Scotland; the ability to present complex research findings in a clear and understandable manner for different target audiences, including academics and policy-makers/practitioners; and experience of working in multi-disciplinary team-based research projects. Applicants must be keen to contribute to the key RPC priority of producing policy-relevant research.

Desirable skills, abilities and knowledge include experience of: using a range of relevant computer software packages, such as R, Stata, SPSS, etc.; undertaking social network analysis; using GIS mapping techniques; mixed-method/qualitative data collection and analysis; project coordination and management; and background knowledge of regional/local food economies.

Closing date: 21 May 2023

What you will get in return

• Enhanced holidays
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Cycle to work scheme
• RAC Membership
• Enhanced family leave
• Flexible working patterns
• Hybrid working solutions (in some areas)
• Tailored investment in and individuals' learning and development

Further details on the requirements of this role can be found in the Job Particulars document which you must read before applying for this role.

Please note that CVs will not be accepted without a completed application form.

Further information

Please read the Job Particulars document before proceeding with your application.

Apply

To apply for this role, please use the SRUC online application system. CVs will not be accepted without a completed application form.