Post-Doctoral Researcher Opportunity: Unlocking Investment in Urban Nature

  • Posted on: 10 June 2026
Post-Doctoral Researcher Opportunity: Unlocking Investment in Urban Nature
The National Trust, in partnership with the University of Exeter’s Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions (Net+ Centre), is seeking a Post-Doctoral Researcher to help shape the future of urban nature investment across the UK.

This role sits within the Nature Towns and Cities programme, a coalition led by the National Trust, Natural England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Together, the partnership is working towards an ambitious goal: unlocking £1 billion of investment in urban greening over the next decade and improving access to quality green space for five million people.

The successful candidate will lead research exploring how investment can be mobilised into urban nature projects that deliver measurable benefits for climate resilience, public health and carbon reduction. By building a stronger evidence base and increasing investor confidence in the value of nature-based solutions, the research will help create practical pathways for scaling investment across sectors.

Working at the intersection of research, policy and practice, the role will involve collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders to understand investment barriers, identify opportunities and develop innovative funding and finance approaches. The findings will contribute to a roadmap for increasing investment in urban nature and accelerating the delivery of greener, healthier and more resilient communities.

Applications are welcomed from post-doctoral researchers from a variety of disciplines, including social sciences, economics, finance, policy, systems change and related fields. Experience or interest in nature finance, climate adaptation, public health, urban environments or social impact will be particularly valuable.

This is more than a research position. It is an opportunity to help shape how nature is valued and financed, ensuring that investment flows towards solutions that benefit people, places and the planet.

As cities continue to face growing climate and health challenges, innovative approaches to funding urban nature have never been more important. This role offers the chance to contribute to a pioneering programme that aims to demonstrate the transformative power of nature-based solutions at scale.

Applications are now open, closing on 21st June, with the role hosted by the National Trust and delivered in close collaboration with the Net Positive Centre at the University of Exeter.