Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a team to analyse social and political aspects of environmental biotechnology.
- Company: Be part of the University of Edinburgh, a leader in research and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, and access to personal development opportunities.
- Why this job: Contribute to impactful climate change solutions while collaborating with diverse experts.
- Qualifications: Must be a current PhD student at the University of Edinburgh with relevant interests and skills.
- Other info: This is a part-time, fixed-term role for 9 months starting September 2025.
The predicted salary is between 40497 - 48149 £ per year.
Job Description
Grade UE07: £40,497 to £48,149 per annum pro rata
CSG / Edinburgh Earth Initiative, Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability
Part-time: 9 hours per week
Fixed-term: 9 months from September 2025
The School of Social and Political Science and School of Biological Sciences are looking for a PhD student to contribute to a project to analyse the social and political dimensions of engineering biology in environmental contexts. This 9-month project will focus on understanding the key claims being made by scientists and policymakers about the potential of biotechnology, as well as the social and political science commentary on the topic.
Click here to view the full project brief for the Earth Fellow: Social dimensions of environmental biotechnology, including key tasks and deliverables (opens browser in new tab).
This post will be appointed at Grade UE07, step 1 which is £40,497 per annum, pro rata (£22.19 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 are not a current University of Edinburgh student.
Your skills and attributes for success:
- Current University of Edinburgh PhD student in the \’25/\’26 academic year.
- An interest in and familiarity with engineering biology.
- Experience with literature reviews of academic and grey literature.
- Ability to make sense of information stemming from a range of different disciplines such a biology, environmental science and social and political science.
- Excellent communication skills including the ability to communicate complex information clearly, both in writing and in oral presentations.
- Ability to work proactively with colleagues with a variety of expertise; understanding and valuing different points of view.
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.
Click to view a copy of the full job description (opens new browser tab)
Application Information
Please ensure you 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, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total 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 (opens new browser tab).
On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore 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 18th August 2025.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow\’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About the Team
Launched in 2022, the Edinburgh Earth Initiative was established by the University\’s Executive with a cross institutional remit to drive a step change in the University\’s engagements with climate and sustainability challenges.
In 2024, a strategic review of Edinburgh Earth Initiative was completed and the results of that review, including a strategy for 2025-2030, were approved by the University Executive. The strategy states that the mission of EEI is to catalyse bold, globally significant transdisciplinary research, innovation and partnerships at the University in support of the Research & Innovation Strategy 2030 and Climate Strategy.
Edinburgh Earth Initiative Website (https://earth.ed.ac.uk/) (opens in new browser tab) #J-18808-Ljbffr
Earth Fellow: Social dimensions of environmental biotechnology employer: The University of Edinburgh
Contact Detail:
The University of Edinburgh Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Earth Fellow: Social dimensions of environmental biotechnology
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest research and discussions around engineering biology and environmental biotechnology. This will not only help you understand the project better but also allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current PhD students or faculty members at the University of Edinburgh who are involved in similar research areas. They can provide insights into the application process and may even offer advice on how to stand out as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with literature reviews and interdisciplinary work. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've synthesised information from different fields, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your communication skills by practising how to explain complex concepts clearly and concisely. Consider preparing a short presentation on a relevant topic to demonstrate your ability to convey information effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Earth Fellow: Social dimensions of environmental biotechnology
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Earth Fellow position. Understand the key tasks and deliverables outlined in the project brief, as this will help you tailor your application.
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter: Your cover letter should specifically address your interest in engineering biology and how your background aligns with the social and political dimensions of environmental biotechnology. Highlight relevant experiences, such as literature reviews or interdisciplinary work.
Highlight Relevant Skills in Your CV: Ensure your CV showcases your experience as a current PhD student at the University of Edinburgh, along with any relevant skills such as communication, teamwork, and familiarity with various disciplines like biology and social sciences.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread both your CV and cover letter. Check for clarity, grammar, and spelling errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at The University of Edinburgh
✨Show Your Passion for Environmental Biotechnology
Make sure to express your genuine interest in engineering biology and its social dimensions. Share any relevant experiences or projects you've worked on that demonstrate your commitment to this field.
✨Prepare for Interdisciplinary Questions
Since the role involves understanding various disciplines, be ready to discuss how you can integrate knowledge from biology, environmental science, and social sciences. Think of examples where you've successfully navigated these areas.
✨Highlight Your Communication Skills
This position requires excellent communication abilities. Prepare to showcase how you've effectively communicated complex information in both written and oral formats, perhaps through past presentations or reports.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork and Collaboration
The role involves working with a diverse team. Be prepared to discuss your experiences collaborating with colleagues from different backgrounds and how you value diverse perspectives in problem-solving.
