Company: University of Bath
Location: Bath
Posted: May 14th, 2026
We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (full-time) to join Dr. Yixian Sun’s new research project on sustainability governance of forest-risk commodities in key consumer and producer countries (AnDforFRCs).
About the role
This innovative project is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Forest Governance, Market and Climate Programme (FGMC).
Partner institutions include Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia), University of Victoria (Canada), University of British Columbia (Canada), University of Freiburg (Germany), University of International Business and Economics (China), and National University of Singapore (Singapore).
The successful applicant will be responsible for conducting research, in close collaboration with partners at UIBE and UBC, on China’s governance in three forest-risk commodity sectors (natural rubber, palm oil and mining) and support a range of stakeholder engagement activities.
This is an exciting opportunity to produce highly impactful research for researchers with a strong interest in environmental governance and sustainable development.
You will join Dr. Sun’s team based in the Department of Social and Policy Science at the University of Bath and engage with researchers at the Bath Centre for Earth System Research Governance.
You will have the opportunity to develop cutting-edge research using mixed methods on forest-risk commodity governance:
Our ideal candidate will:
Additional information
As a member of the Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged and expected to take up to a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.
This role is offered on a full time (36.5 hours per week) fixed term basis to start as soon as possible.
The contract will end in March 2027, but can be renewed subject to funding availability.
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equity and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
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Closing Date: 25 May 2026
Department: Education & Research
Salary: £38,784 to £46,049