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School of Arts, Languages and Cultures

Manchester Environmental Institute research initiative co-leads: expression of interest

04 Apr 2025

Manchester Environmental Research Institute is now accepting applications for co-leads for the launch of new research initiatives.

The Manchester Environmental Institute (MERI) is the University's cross-Faculty institute for environmental research, innovation and training. Established in 2018, MERI brings together interdisciplinary experts from across the university to develop the evidence, solutions, and people to address complex environmental challenges in the UK and globally.

As part of MERI’s future strategy, they are launching for a set of research initiatives focused initially on the topics of:

  • Environmental Change & Health
  • Land and Resource Futures; and
  • Environmental Data Science and AI

For each Initiative, MERI will lead and develop interdisciplinary teams that grow the University's research, partnerships, and impact, drawing on expertise from across the institute’s science themes and wider University networks, including institutes, platforms and beacons. MERI research initiatives complement and work alongside MERI’s continued broader support for environmental research, training and development within the University.

There are exciting opportunities for academics to join the MERI team as co-leads for each of the institute’s new research initiatives. Appointed co-leads will work alongside the existing MERI team – Director (Tim Foster), co-lead for Land System Futures (Gareth Clay), and co-lead for Environmental Change & Health (Martie van Tongeren), and research development support (Asha Fullonton and Nic Hylton).

Co-Leads of each research initiative will work collaboratively to:

  1. Engage with the MERI community, the University's platforms, institutes and beacons to develop and refine the strategic research focus of their respective initiative.
  2. Plan and implement activities (e.g. workshops, sandpits, knowledge exchange/business engagement) to build interdisciplinary teams and external partnerships that grow research activity and impact linked to the initiative.
  3. Co-develop interdisciplinary funding bids in areas of research and innovation linked to the initiative.
  4. Attend monthly MERI leadership team meetings and report on initiative activities and impacts to MERI’s management and advisory boards.
  5. Contribute to the planning and delivery of MERI’s broader programme of events and activities (e.g. annual lecture, PGR/ECR-focused events).

Co-Lead appointments will be for an initial two years with an expected average workload of 0.1 FTE. Applications are encouraged from all post-PhD career stages (contract duration must exceed two years) from any Faculty. In making the final appointments, the balance of Faculties and disciplinary backgrounds will be considered. Appointments will be conditional on approval from the applicant’s line manager and/or Head of Department/School/Institute.

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit an expression of interest by 5pm on Friday, 2 May via this form. Applications will be reviewed and assessed following the closing date with successful candidates invited to interview.

If you would like to discuss these roles in further detail, please get in touch at meri@manchester.ac.uk.

Summary of research initiatives

Environmental Change & Health

Environmental degradation, including climate change and pollution, are major drivers of poor human health outcomes and inequalities in the UK and internationally. Within this initiative, MERI will convene and develop teams to develop solutions to address the health impacts of our changing environment. Activities will build upon and leverage an existing multi-disciplinary working group on Climate and Health including air pollution, co-led by MERI in partnership with Sustainable Futures (Health theme) and Healthier Futures.

Land and Resource Futures

Sustainable and equitable management of land and natural resources such as water and soil are central to addressing interlinked challenges of ecosystem decline, climate change, and socio-economic development. Within this initiative, MERI will support and develop interdisciplinary research that improves our understanding of changes to the terrestrial environment and how to balance social and ecological consequences of land and natural resource use. Key areas of UoM strength that have been identified by MERI include landscape conservation and restoration, water-food-energy nexus, microbial science and ecosystem functionality, and nature-based solutions.

Environmental Data Science & AI

Advances in digital technologies, algorithms, and computational infrastructure are rapidly changing how we understand our natural environment and develop solutions to environmental challenges. Within this initiative, MERI will bring together UoM’s strengths in environmental, digital, and computational research to advance use of digital technologies in environmental research and management, including through partnership with other relevant institutes and platforms (e.g. IDSAI, Digital Futures). Potential focal areas include environmental sensing, environmental modelling including digital twins, and socio-economic dimensions of environmental big data.