Post background:
This role sits within the Chief Scientist Directorate (CSD) overseen by JNCCs Chief Scientist. The CSD brings together cross-cutting science disciplines (e.g. social science, economics, quality assessment, external knowledge engagement) and themes (e.g. climate change, One Health). It is the professional home for JNCCs scientists and analysts.
JNCCs Interdisciplinary and Evaluation Team is seeking a Senior Social Scientist to support its portfolio of interdisciplinary evidence, advice and implementation activities.
This role will strengthen the social and interdisciplinary evidence base underpinning biodiversity conservation, nature recovery and environmental policy. You will champion approaches and analysis that connects nature recovery with peoples values, behaviours, livelihoods, health and wellbeing; helping ensure JNCCs work contributes to equitable, inclusive and socially informed solutions that benefit nature and society.
You will support JNCC's strategic project development and advice on the integration of social science. Working across teams, you will embed robust social science approaches into research, implementation, evaluation and impact, ensuring our work reflects the social dimensions of biodiversity conservation and recovery. This includes project support, advice on methods and analysis, supporting implementation of a Research Ethics Committee and good practice stakeholder engagement and participation.
You will work closely with conservation biologists, data scientists, geospatial analysts, environmental modellers, and policy specialists, as well as external partners and stakeholders. Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential. There may be occasional international travel opportunities.
There may be opportunities to develop and deliver high impact interdisciplinary projects, building collaborations across disciplines and with partners. You will identify opportunities where social science can strengthen evidence, inform policy, improve stakeholder engagement and support effective outcomes.
Recent & planned projects include:
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Supporting implementation of JNCCs (internal) Interdisciplinary Strategy through: building capacity for social science and interdisciplinary working through training, networks and a Community of Practice; embedding social science and interdisciplinary approaches within organisational processes (e.g. evidence quality assurance, research ethics); providing advice across programmes; and delivering priority projects integrating social and natural science evidence.
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Technical advice on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and related initiatives intersecting socio-economic dimensions. Recent examples include the IPBES Transformative Change, Nexus and Business and Biodiversity Assessments, and work on biodiversity, health and One Health, helping integrate findings into policy and practice.
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Leading socio-economic research, analysis and engagement to support evidence-based conservation policy and decision-making. Examples include integrating social and environmental indicators, supporting sustainable livelihood initiatives, the Overseas Territories (OT) Biodiversity Strategy and the UKs Blue Belt Programme.
