Whether you’re considering a career in academia, industry, government, policy, consultancy or the third sector, there are many resources available to help you explore opportunities, develop your skills and grow your professional network. The resources below are a great starting point for planning your future career and discovering the wide range of opportunities available to environmental researchers.
Career Resources Disclaimer
This is a developing collection of career resources, opportunities and professional networks that we hope will be useful to current and prospective doctoral researchers. While we aim to keep this information relevant and up to date, we do not claim that it is comprehensive, and there may be many other valuable resources available.
The list includes external organisations, websites, professional societies, funding schemes and networking opportunities that YES-DTN is not necessarily affiliated with. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement, and researchers should always review opportunities carefully to determine their suitability.
We welcome suggestions for additional resources, corrections or updates that could help improve this page. Our aim is to create a practical resource that supports doctoral researchers in exploring career options, building professional networks and developing their careers both within and beyond academia.
If you would like to suggest a resource or provide feedback, please contact [email protected].
Careers Websites
These websites provide careers information, job opportunities, labour market insights and advice tailored to researchers and environmental professionals.
General Career Resources
- University Careers Services – Career planning support, CV reviews, interview preparation and employer events.
- Prospects – Graduate career profiles, sector insights and job opportunities.
- jobs.ac.uk – Academic, research and professional services roles across higher education.
- Vitae – Career development resources specifically for researchers.
Environmental and Sustainability Careers
- Environmentjob.co.uk – Environmental, conservation and sustainability vacancies.
- Green Jobs Board – Environmental and sustainability careers.
- IEMA Jobs Board – Sustainability and environmental management positions.
- Civil Service Careers – Opportunities in policy, regulation and government.
International Opportunities
- Euraxess – Research jobs and funding opportunities across Europe.
- Nature Careers – Academic and industry-focused research careers.
Professional Societies
Professional societies provide networking opportunities, training, mentoring, conferences and access to specialist communities.
Environment and Sustainability
- Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES)
- Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA)
- Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)
- Royal Geographical Society (RGS)
- British Ecological Society (BES)
Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Geological Society of London
- Royal Meteorological Society
- Challenger Society for Marine Science
- British Hydrological Society
- European Geosciences Union (EGU)
Data, Technology and Remote Sensing
- Royal Statistical Society
- Royal Geographical Society GIS Group
- IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society
Joining a professional society can help you access training, build your network, develop leadership experience and stay up to date with developments in your field.
Funding Opportunities
Funding can support conference attendance, training, fieldwork, placements, networking activities and career development.
During Your PhD
- YES-DTN training and development opportunities
- Research Training Support Grant (RTSG)
- Conference and travel funding
- Placement and internship funding
Early Career Research Funding
- UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
- Research councils (e.g. NERC)
- Learned society grants and travel awards
- University fellowship schemes
- Charity and foundation funding opportunities
Many professional societies also offer:
- Travel grants
- Conference bursaries
- Research awards
- Public engagement funding
- Networking grants
Networking Resources
Building a professional network is one of the most valuable things you can do during your PhD. Networking can help you learn about career pathways, identify opportunities and connect with people working in areas that interest you.
Build Your Network Through:
- Conferences and workshops
- YES-DTN training events
- Professional society events
- Research seminars
- Placement opportunities
- Public engagement activities
- Alumni events
- Informational interviews
Online Networking
- ResearchGate
- Bluesky and other academic communities
- Professional society forums and discussion groups
Tips for Effective Networking
- Be curious and ask questions.
- Don’t focus solely on job opportunities – focus on learning from others.
- Follow up with people you’ve met.
- Keep your LinkedIn profile up to date.
- Remember that networking is about building genuine professional relationships over time.
Making the Most of Your PhD
Career development doesn’t begin when you submit your thesis. Every conference you attend, collaboration you build, committee you join, training course you complete and placement you undertake contributes to your future career.
Take advantage of opportunities to explore different sectors, develop new skills and connect with people whose careers inspire you. Your PhD is not just about research expertise, it is also about building the experience, confidence and professional network that will support your future career journey.