JOIN THE UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON – SHAPING FUTURES FOR 125 YEARS

University of East London (UEL) is a vibrant, diverse, and forward-thinking institution dedicated to transforming lives through exceptional education and career-focused opportunities. As a careers-first university, we have been proudly preparing students for the jobs of the future for 125 years.
UEL has always been at the forefront of innovation, and our ambitious Vision 2028 strategy underscores our commitment to reshaping education for the benefit of all. We empower students from all backgrounds with the skills and opportunities to excel in today’s dynamic world.
Our dedication to excellence is reflected in our achievements. We are proud to be recognised as the University of the Year for Teaching Quality in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

Additionally, UEL ranks:

• 1st in London for Student Experience (National Student Survey 2024), and
• 3rd in London for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025).

At UEL, we don’t just teach; we inspire, innovate, and empower. Join us as we continue to shape the future.

ABOUT US (SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH INSTITUTE):

Since its launch in 2001 UEL’s Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) has brought together research and development of innovative eco-efficient technologies and processes, focusing on changes in infrastructure that benefit the environment and promote a carbon-neutral society. Over the last ten years, the SRI has successfully delivered a wide range of publicly funded research projects, undertaken a number of consultancy contracts and contract research initiatives, and built an excellent local and international reputation by applying ground-breaking research and knowledge exchange in the real world.

The SRI’s work focuses on a range of emerging research fields and pressing urban and rural sustainability challenges and is centred on three key themes:

• Blue/Green infrastructure: exploring how we conserve, restore, and manage our nature-based infrastructure assets to enhance the sustainability and resilience of our rural and urban environments.
• Sustainable Materials and Resources: developing a new generation of materials with lower carbon emissions and improved performance.
• Sustainable Society: collaborating with stakeholders, such as local communities and businesses, to empower them to engage in the sustainability transition.

ABOUT YOU:

We are looking for a Research Assistant to provide key support to the Network Nature Task Force 2 work on Nature-Based Solutions. The RA will specifically work on a project exploring the use of impact evaluation on Horizon Europe funded Nature-based Solutions projects. As part of a Task Force project team, the role will include:

• Developing and distributing a survey to EU projects on their use of evaluation indicators
• Data collection
• Analysing responses, including individual follow-ups
• Hosting a team workshop to get consensus on findings and key outputs
• Crafting and disseminating a policy brief
• Finalising and submitting an open-access publication
• Evidencing that the project team have effectively collaborated with members of other Task Forces

This is an exciting opportunity for an early-career researcher to join a multi-disciplinary team with prime responsibility for delivering a research project linked to EU-wide knowledge transfer using an established pathway to impact. You will be reporting to the SRI Director and will be working alongside SRI researchers and other researchers involved in the Network Nature Task Force to engage Nature-based Solutions researchers and practitioners across the EU. This role represents an excellent opportunity to develop new networks and comprehensive experience of a diversity of research skills.
The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to undertake review, survey and interview-based research. This will include experience of conducting data analysis on qualitative and/or qualitative data.

FURTHER DETAILS

Job Description & Person Specification

ABOUT THE ROLE:

• Develop and submit ethical approval application for the research project
• Run a workshop to co-develop the research approach
• Deliver a survey
• Analysing responses
• Host a workshop to get consensus on findings and key outputs
• Develop a policy brief
• Lead the preparation of a publication
• Present progress back in Task Force meetings
• Interaction and communication with SRI and external partners

We are looking for a Research Assistant to provide key support to the Network Nature Task Force 2 work on Nature-Based Solutions. The RA will specifically work on a project exploring the use of impact evaluation on Horizon Europe funded Nature-based Solutions projects. As part of a Task Force project team, the role will include:

• Developing and distributing a survey to EU projects on their use of evaluation indicators
• Data collection
• Analysing responses, including individual follow-ups
• Hosting a team workshop to get consensus on findings and key outputs
• Crafting and disseminating a policy brief
• Finalising and submitting an open-access publication
• Evidencing that the project team have effectively collaborated with members of other Task Force