Graduate Researcher: Tree Equity

Supports a research partnership between the University of Exeter and the Woodland Trust by using GIS and statistical analysis to study urban tree equity and its impact on health and the environment.

Job Summary

This 8-month fixed term Graduate Business Partner role will support an ongoing collaboration between the University of Exeter and the Woodland Trust. The Woodland Trust has a programme of work on tree equity, aiming to understand social inequalities in the distribution of trees across urban areas of the UK, and supporting action to address these inequalities.  

We have been working together on research to build understanding of the evidence base on these issues, and the next phase of the research will continue to develop this research and to consider the potential impacts on health inequalities.

The Woodland Trust is the UK's largest woodland conservation charity, with a vision for a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature. This collaboration is with the European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH), and the Centre for Ecology and Conservation (CEC), both based at the University of Exeter Penryn Campus in Cornwall.

This role is part of the Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) scheme and offers full time hours (36.5 per week) from August 2026 to March 2027. You will be based at ECEHH on the University of Exeter Penryn Campus and work closely with the team at CEC and the Woodland Trust. It is anticipated that occasional travel may be required for key project meetings.

The project will focus on the following questions:

• What is the extent to which socioeconomic benefits of urban trees are distributed evenly in urban areas?

• What are the relationships between inequalities in the distribution of urban trees and ecosystem service delivery, including support for human health and wellbeing?

In order support this research, we require a graduate with skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS),

statistical and spatial data analysis and with experience of working with environmental, health and/or socio-economic data.

Key Dates

Application Closing Date: 19/07/2026

Starting Salary: £28,029 per annum

Purpose of the Role

To carry out data analysis in collaboration between the University of Exeter and the Woodland Trust, and to contribute to reporting and outputs to inform the Woodland Trust tree equity programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

To include:

• Review and develop existing baseline UK tree equity analysis

• Build on existing data resources on urban tree canopy, socio-demographic and health data, obtaining these from sources such as UK government data services and the UK Data Service.

• Contribute to developing and carrying out geographical and statistical analysis, working with supervision from the Woodland Trust and the University of Exeter, including:

  • Development of urban tree ecosystem services mapping for the UK, including population health impacts such as heat mitigation, air pollution reduction, visual amenity.

  • Equity analysis of these ecosystem services across standard socio-demographic population characteristics.

• Use the analyses with existing evidence (e.g. from published systematic reviews) on the relationships between urban trees and health and wellbeing to estimate the potential health impacts of decreasing tree inequity.

• Contribute to writing reports, presentations and other research outputs.

• Participate in regular online and face to face project meetings between University of Exeter and Woodland Trust colleagues.

Training and Development - What Skills and Experience will this Opportunity Provide?

• Experience of working in an interdisciplinary research centre.

• Opportunity to gain experience of practical application of GIS/statistical skills

• Opportunity to gain experience of working in collaboration to develop action around health and natural environments.

• Opportunity to work with a leading research group in the field of environment and human health and with a leading UK conservation NGO.

• There may be opportunities to take part in education sessions/seminars within ECEHH to further develop your knowledge.

You will be asked to complete the university’s mandatory online training in:

• Safeguarding on our Campuses

• Diversity in the Workplace

• Health and Safety Introduction

• Information Governance and Security

Support Available

• Regular meetings with the line manager and wider project team

• Regular meetings with Woodland Trust collaborators

• Interaction with ECEHH, CEC and wider University research communities 

• The university offers extensive support to staff, including a structured Professional Development Review and Wellbeing Service plus 1:1 support from the Internships Team.

The Benefits 

You will have access to a wide range of benefits, rewards and recognition from the University including:

• Flexible/hybrid working

• Generous pension

• A holiday allowance of 39 days per year

• Totum Card (student discount)

• Salary Exchange Schemes such as the Cycle to Work Scheme

• Discounted membership to the university's sports facilities including cricket centre, indoor/outdoor pools, squash courts and fitness centre’s.

• The university offers extensive support to staff, including a structured Professional Development Review and Wellbeing Service plus 1:1 support from the Internships Team.

• All Graduates are offered a ‘how to make the most of your internship’ guide.

• You will have access to the university’s Career Mentor Scheme and career consultancy opportunities.

• You will have access to the university’s extensive suite of online training which includes Excel, presentation skills, and negotiation skills.

• You will be invited to quarterly networking and professional development events through ‘The Graduate Network’.

About You (Person Specification)

Degree and Attainment

• Recent graduate of UK University in past three years with minimum BSc/BA or equivalent in geography, environmental science or a relevant subject

• Qualification in or demonstrable experience of using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and statistical analysis methods

Skills

• Thorough understanding of the theory and use of GIS ideally with ESRI ArcGIS products and/or QGIS

• Good statistical knowledge and skills, for example using R, Stata or similar software.

Personal Qualities and Attributes

• Excellent communication skills

• Ability to work independently,  manage own time and work to deadlines

• Excellent organisational skills

• Ability to work with a dispersed, collaborative project team including stakeholders from Woodland Trust and University of Exeter

• Available to travel occasionally to meet with project partners

Knowledge

• Understanding of methods and processes relating analysis of environmental, social and health data

• Understanding of how natural environments can deliver benefits for people, including health

You must have valid right-to-work documents with you for verification if appointed, copies are not accepted.

About the University Department/Organisation

You will be based within the European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH), which conducts world-class research into the complex interdependencies between the environment and health. As part of the University of Exeter Medical School, ECEHH delivers transdisciplinary research and education informing the future health of the planet and people.

You will also work with colleagues from the University of Exeter Centre for Ecology and Conservation, a world leading research and education hub with particular strengths in ecology, conservation, evolution, zoology, behaviour, microbiology and marine science.

Based at the University of Exeter’s Penryn campus in Cornwall, the two centres are home to experts from diverse disciplines such as epidemiology, ecology, policy analysis, psychology and microbiology. Our academics form a team that is encouraged to break from traditional silos; conceiving and undertaking projects that deliberately cross disciplinary boundaries.

We collaborate closely with partner organisations from governments, businesses and the 3rd sector to ensure our research has real-world meaning and impact.