Earth Fellow: Forest and Peatland programme research support

Location: Edinburgh - Central Area, Midlothian, United Kingdom Department: Professional, Administration and Operational

Grade UE07: £41,064.00 - £48,822.00 Per Annum Pro Rata (£22.50 per hour)

CSG / Edinburgh Earth Initiative / Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability.

Part Time - 9 hours per week.

Fixed-Term: 9 months from November 2026.

The Opportunity

The Department for Social Responsibility is looking for a PhD student to support developing an internal research funding mechanism associated with the Forest and Peatland programme. This 9-month project focuses on analysing the current internal grant funding landscape and piloting a new funding mechanism for research projects across the University of Edinburgh.

As an Earth Fellow, you will be joining a diverse, fun and dynamic team of researchers, students and staff all working together to address the global climate emergency. As part of the Earth Fellows programme, you will have access to co-working space, exciting networking and personal development opportunities and opportunities to contribute towards partnerships and solutions for climate change on a global scale.

Earth Fellows work on individual and team-based projects which contribute to the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Earth Initiative’s work on climate change research-led impact, innovation, engagement, and teaching.

Please refer to the project brief and the skills listed below when outlining your skills and experience in your application.

Click here to view the full project brief for the Earth Fellow: Forest and Peatland programme research support, including key tasks and deliverables (opens browser in new tab).

This post will be appointed at Grade UE07, step 1 which is £41,064 per annum, pro rata (£22.50 per hour).

Earth Fellowships are only open to current postgraduate and PhD students at the University of Edinburgh based in the UK. Please do not apply if you will not be an on-campus University of Edinburgh student in the ‘26/’27 academic year.

Your skills and attributes for success

• Current University of Edinburgh PhD student in the ‘26/’27 academic year. If you’re nearing completion of your PhD please check your eligibility with [email protected] before applying.
• Understanding of budgeting, financial, and grant management.
• Familiarity with the research funding and grant application processes.
• Experience in setting timelines, managing resources, and meeting deadlines.
• Strong written, and verbal communication abilities with individuals and groups.
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively within a supportive team.
• Strong focus on accuracy and detail, especially important in handling financial data and compliance issues.
• Ability to develop innovative solutions to complex issues.
• An interest in sustainability and ecosystem research.
• Familiarity with the Forest and Peatland Programme (desirable).
• Experience in organising and facilitating funding calls and proposal evaluations (desirable).

Click here to view the general Earth Fellow job description (opens browser in new tab)

How to apply

Please include the following documents in your application

-CV

-Cover Letter

As a valued member of our team, you can expect

A competitive salary.

An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.

To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.

Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will therefore be unable to apply for and secure a Skilled Worker visa. They will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 9 November 2026.

Unless stated otherwise, the closing time for applications is 11:59 pm (UK time). If you are applying from outside the UK, the closing time shown on our adverts will automatically adjust to your browser’s local time zone.

Interviews dates to be confirmed.