2 Year Post Doctoral Research Fellow: Urban Greenspace and Health

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Event Details
Contact

Informal Enquiries ONLY to:

Name: Prof Mark Scott

Title: Head of Environmental Policy 

Email address: mark.scott@ucd.ie

Telephone: +353 1 7162789

Summaries

Summary Sentence: A 24 month post-doctoral research post is available in the University College Dublin School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy investigating the intersection of spatial planning, ecosystem services, health and green infrastructure.

Full Summary: A 24 month post-doctoral research post is available in the UCD School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy investigating the intersection of spatial planning, ecosystem services, health and green infrastructure. The EcoHealth project is co-funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Health Services Executive. The project advances two key objectives: the first is to develop a robust evidence base concerning the roles played by access to greenspace in promoting health and wellbeing among all social cohorts. The second objective is to translate and mobilise this evidence base into spatial planning and design tools that can be employed by those involved in developing and implementing greenspace policies across a range of different environment types. 

The principal output of the project will be evidence-informed policy, practice and design recommendations to maximise the health benefits from greenspace by operationalising the green infrastructure concept within various policy domains. To support the use of the recommendations, a full report will be prepared and targeted at policy makers and major environmental/health stakeholders.

Reference number: UCD-008168

Position Summary

A 24 month post-doctoral research post is available in the UCD School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy investigating the intersection of spatial planning, ecosystem services, health and green infrastructure. The EcoHealth project is co-funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Health Services Executive. The project advances two key objectives: the first is to develop a robust evidence base concerning the roles played by access to greenspace in promoting health and wellbeing among all social cohorts. The second objective is to translate and mobilize this evidence base into spatial planning and design tools that can be employed by those involved in developing and implementing greenspace policies across a range of different environment types. The principal output of the project will be evidence-informed policy, practice and design recommendations to maximize the health benefits from greenspace by operationalizing the green infrastructure concept within various policy domains. To support the use of the recommendations, a full report will be prepared and targeted at policy makers and major environmental/health stakeholders. There will also be a project website and twitter, a national conference and a series of continuing professional development workshops. This is an academic research role, where you will conduct a specified programme of research supported by research training and development under the supervision and direction of the project’s Principal Investigators.

The primary purpose of the role is to further develop your research skills and competences, including the processes of publication in peer-reviewed academic publications, the development of funding proposals, the mentorship of graduate students along with the opportunity to develop your skills in research led teaching. In addition to the Principal Duties and Responsibilities, the successful candidate will also:

  • Provide an understanding of international best practice on how health and wellbeing relate to the ecosystem services approach in the planning, design and management of both urban and rural environments;
  • Investigate the potential of the green infrastructure concept as a means to assist the integration of health related issues into spatial planning policy and design practices;
  • Provide a baseline study of current national practice in relation to ecosystem services approaches, green infrastructure, spatial planning and design as these relate to health and wellbeing;
  • Assist in organising stakeholder engagement in case study locations;
  • Assist in the design and implementation of a quantitative social survey;
  • Assist in developing recommendations, guidelines and toolkits relating to (i) the development and mainstreaming of an ecosystem services approach to planning and designing for healthy environments; (ii) the potential of existing planning and design tools for effective decision-making with respect to healthy environments; and (iii) recommendations for new policy tools.

 

Salary:

€33,975 – €36,003 per annum (approx. $36,878-$39,079 USD or £26,476-£28,057 stg). Appointment on the above range will be dependent on qualifications and experience

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

  • Conduct a specified programme of research and scholarship under the supervision and direction of your Principal Investigators.
  • Engage in appropriate training and professional development opportunities as required by your Principal Investigators, your School or Institute, or the University.
  • Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which you are engaged as directed by and with the support of and under the supervision of your Principal Investigators.
  • Engage in the wider research and scholarly activities of your research group, School and Institute.
  • Mentor and assist, as appropriate and as directed, the research graduate students in your School and Institute. Carry out administrative work associated with your programme of research.

 

Selection Criteria

Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory

  • Working knowledge of spatial planning and design as these relate to health and wellbeing.
  • Working knowledge of the ecosystem services paradigm and the green infrastructure concept. A demonstrated commitment to research and publications.
  • An understanding of the operational requirements for a successful research project.
  • PhD in spatial/environmental planning; geography; public health or a related discipline.
  • Experience of survey design and quantitative analysis. Fluency in written and spoken English.
  • Evidence of research activity (publications, conference presentations, awards) and future scholarly output (working papers, research proposals, and experience of writing a funding application).
  • Excellent Communication Skills (Oral, Written, Presentation etc)
  • Excellent Organisational and Administrative skills including a proven ability to work to deadlines

 

The PD1 position is intended for early stage researchers, either just after completion of a PhD or for someone entering a new area for the first time. If you have already completed your PD1 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD1, or youare an external applicant whose total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 4 years, you should not apply and should refer to PD2 posts instead.

Desirable

  • Experience in qualitative research methods 
  • Experience of GIS 
  • Experience in setting own research agenda 
  • Experience of working with policy stakeholders in a research environment 
  • Experience in setting own research agenda  

 

Further Information for Candidates

Supplementary information

The University: http://www.ucd.ie/about/

The College: http://www.ucd.ie/eacollege

The School: http://www.ucd.ie/apep/

UCD offers a comprehensive Research Careers Framework in line with the Advisory Science Council Report ‘Towards a Framework for Researcher Careers’. This model provides a structured and supportive Career and Skills Development system designed to ensure that Post-docs in UCD are able to plan their careers and prepare for future opportunities in academia, industry or the public sector.

Relocation Expenses

Will not apply   

Informal Enquiries ONLY to:

Name: Prof Mark Scott

Title: Head of Environmental Policy 

Email address: mark.scott@ucd.ie

Telephone: +353 1 7162789

Eligibility to compete and certain restrictions on eligibility (Relevant only to those with previous Irish Public Sector experience)

Additional Information

In Campus Calendar
No
Groups

BEPHC - Healthy Places

Invited Audience
Undergraduate students, Faculty/Staff, Public, Graduate students
Categories
Career/Professional development
Keywords
bephc job opportunity
Status
  • Created By: Nico Boyd
  • Workflow Status: Published
  • Created On: Mar 1, 2016 - 8:32am
  • Last Updated: Apr 13, 2017 - 5:16pm