University College London (UCL) is recruiting a Research Fellow in Climate Change and Public Health to join the UCL Institute for Global Health and contribute to the work of the Lancet Countdown, an international research collaboration tracking the links between climate change and human health.
The full-time research position is based in London and offers a salary of £46,261 to £54,019 per year, including London Allowance, depending on experience. The appointment is fixed-term and available until 30 April 2029 in the first instance.
Applications close on 22 October 2026.
The position could be particularly relevant to researchers with expertise in climate change, global health, epidemiology, quantitative research and epidemiological modelling who want to develop a research portfolio at the intersection of climate and health.
UCL Research Fellow in Climate Change and Public Health – Key Details
- Position: Research Fellow in Climate Change and Public Health
- Institution: University College London (UCL)
- Institute: UCL Institute for Global Health
- Research Collaboration: The Lancet Countdown
- Location: London, UK
- Working Pattern: Full time
- Working Hours: 36.5 hours per week
- Working Type: Hybrid
- Contract: Fixed-term
- Contract End: 30 April 2029 in the first instance
- Salary: £46,261–£54,019 per year, including London Allowance
- Closing Date: 22 October 2026
- Start: The successful candidate is expected to be available for the contract period
- Relocation: Candidates must already live in the UK or be willing to relocate to the UK
About the UCL Institute for Global Health
The UCL Institute for Global Health is part of UCL’s Grand Challenge of Global Health. Its work focuses on generating research that can contribute to solutions to major global health challenges.
The Institute combines scholarly research, education, public engagement, translational research and efforts to inform public policy and professional practice.
The successful Research Fellow will join work connected to the Lancet Countdown, an independent international collaboration that tracks how climate change affects health at global, regional and national levels.
The collaboration works in partnership with The Lancet and the World Health Organization, with the broader aim of informing responses to climate change that protect and promote human health.
About the Research Fellow Role
The Research Fellow will contribute to research examining the relationship between climate change and public health.
A major component of the position involves supporting the development and evaluation of indicators measuring the health impacts of climate change, as well as indicators related to policies and actions addressing climate change.
The successful candidate will also contribute to research that can inform real-world impact.
Responsibilities include supporting health research and academic initiatives associated with the Lancet Countdown, including the collection and analysis of health and epidemiological evidence for:
- The annual Global Lancet Countdown Report
- Regional reports
- Special issues
- Academic publications
- Other research outputs
The Research Fellow will also support research quantifying the impacts of climate change on health and examining health opportunities associated with climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Opportunity for an Early-Career Researcher
UCL describes the role as an opportunity for an early-career researcher to develop a research portfolio at the intersection of climate change and health.
The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary environment while contributing to research with global relevance.
The role may therefore suit researchers who want to combine quantitative methods with climate and health research and who are interested in translating scientific evidence into information that can support policy and practice.
Eligibility and Qualifications
Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent working experience in the intersection of climate change and global health, epidemiology or a closely related discipline.
Candidates should also demonstrate:
- Research experience in climate change and global health, epidemiology or a related discipline.
- Experience in epidemiological modelling, ideally environmental epidemiological models.
- Intermediate proficiency in R or a similar coding language.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary academic teams.
- Experience communicating scientific and technical evidence to non-academic audiences.
- A track record of leading or contributing to peer-reviewed academic publications.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong analytical and critical-thinking abilities.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate how their previous research experience connects with climate change, health and quantitative analysis.
Location and Right to Relocate
Although the position is described as hybrid, it is not advertised as a fully remote opportunity.
UCL specifically states that the successful candidate must be living in the UK or willing to relocate to the UK for the duration of the contract.
International researchers considering the position should therefore take this requirement into account when assessing their eligibility and relocation plans.
Salary and Benefits
The position offers a salary ranging from £46,261 to £54,019 per annum, including London Allowance, depending on experience.
UCL also lists a range of employee benefits, including:
- 41 days of holiday, comprising annual leave, bank holidays and closure days.
- Option to purchase an additional five days of annual leave.
- Defined-benefit CARE pension scheme.
- Cycle-to-work scheme.
- Season-ticket loan.
- Immigration loan.
- Relocation scheme for certain posts.
- On-site nursery.
- On-site gym.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
- Employee assistance and staff support services.
- Discounted medical insurance.
The benefits available to an individual employee may be subject to applicable terms and conditions.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
UCL states that it is committed to equality of opportunity, fairness and inclusion and encourages applications from candidates who are underrepresented in its workforce.
The university specifically highlights candidates from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ people and, for Grade 9 and 10 positions, women.
The department also holds an Athena SWAN Silver award in recognition of its work on gender equality.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply through the official UCL jobs portal and review the full job description and person specification before submitting an application.
Apply for the UCL Research Fellow in Climate Change and Public Health position
For questions about the role, applicants can contact Dr Jennifer Israelsson, Senior Research Fellow, at j.israelsson@ucl.ac.uk. Questions concerning reasonable adjustments or the application process can be directed to the IGH HR Team at IGH.HR@ucl.ac.uk.
Application Deadline
The closing date for the UCL Research Fellow in Climate Change and Public Health position is 22 October 2026.
Researchers interested in the role should ensure their applications clearly demonstrate the required research background, quantitative skills, epidemiological modelling experience, R proficiency, publication record and ability to communicate technical evidence to wider audiences.
Final Thoughts
The UCL Research Fellow opportunity combines climate change, public health, epidemiology and quantitative research within the international research environment of the Lancet Countdown.
With a salary of up to £54,019 per year, hybrid working and a contract running until April 2029 in the first instance, the position offers an opportunity for a suitably qualified researcher to develop their academic portfolio while contributing to research on one of the major intersections between environmental change and human health.
Application Deadline: 22 October 2026
