Senior Research Officer – Natural Environment

Defra is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our Natural Environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.

This role is based in the Social Research team within the Environment Science and Analysis division. The team provides specialist social research expertise to support teams working on Natural Environment policy issues across Defra’s Environment Strategy (ES) and Natural Environment, Trees and Landscapes (NETL) directorates.

As a Senior Research Officer, you will work alongside colleagues in an interdisciplinary evidence division, including social researchers, economists and scientists, reporting to a Principal Social Researcher. You will be working very closely with policy colleagues to deliver a broad programme of research and evaluation and will be responsible for leading high-profile insights, research and evaluation projects, working across professions and complex policy areas.

The team is currently working particularly closely with the Access and Engagement with Nature team, the wider Access, Landscapes, Peatland and Soil division, and the Land Use division.

The role will contribute to a range of high-profile areas, including the 25 Year Environment Plan, in particular connecting people with the environment to improve health and wellbeing, the Environmental Improvement Plan, Green Social Prescribing, Local Nature Recovery Strategies, the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme and the People and Nature Survey.