Research Associate (Fixed term)

A Research Associate position is available for a highly talented and motivated individual to work in The Scott Polar Research Institute, reporting to Prof Marc Macias-Fauria. Prof Macias-Fauria's research group has broad interests in understanding the coupling between physical and biological systems, with a focus on cold environments. Research conducted within the group spans the areas of spatial ecology, ecological interactions, vegetation resilience to climate change, and long-term ecology and biodiversity.

The successful candidate will conduct research on long-term Arctic ecology, coordinating the development, completion, exploration, and dissemination of the Arctic Holocene Biodiversity Database, with a focus on long-term biodiversity dynamics in the Arctic. The post holder will work on developing ecological models to explore long-term responses of Arctic ecosystems to drivers of environmental change. They will create new algorithms and associated scientific software for robust and reproducible analysis within the above tasks. The Research Associate is expected to generate research ideas addressing emerging research questions in Arctic ecology, both within functional and compositional frameworks, as well as to engage in own research programmes in consultation with Prof Marc Macias-Fauria. They will have significant responsibility for scientific outputs of the research group, including writing and contributing to scientific publications, as well as building internal and external contacts and participating in networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration.

We are looking for a scientist with experience in Arctic biodiversity research, willing to engage in teamwork within a highly motivated research group and to generate impact within and beyond academia. The successful candidate will have a PhD and demonstrated proficiency in the creation, management, and maintenance of various database structures, as well as experience with functional programming (i.e., a track record of creating software for ecological analysis), structuring and managing collaborative code projects (e.g., git), and tools for visualisation and exploration of complex environmental datasets. Applicants will be familiar with evidence- based approaches to conservation and ecology, palaeoecology (including multiple biological and physical proxies), and hold experience in building mechanistic ecological models that utilise long-term ecological data.

The Scott Polar Research Institute was established in 1920, to encourage polar science and exploration. A unique feature of the Institute is that the range of expertise of its researchers includes and bridges the human and natural sciences. The Institute is comprised of a Museum, a Library, an Archive and Picture Library Collection, and undertakes world leading research in the polar sciences and humanities. The Institute offers an MPhil in Polar Studies and a three-year PhD programme. The role will be based at the Institute on Lensfield Road, Cambridge.

Fixed-term: the funds for this post are available for 36 months since the appointment date in the first instance.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Full details of the role and requirements are available in the further particulars.

Please ensure that you upload a cover letter, a CV, and a research statement in the Upload section of the online application. The cover letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role.

In the research statement, you should write your research vision for the next 3 years and how the present post will enable it. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

The closing date for applications is: 10th December 2023

The interview date for the role is: 22nd January 2024

Please contact the Institute Administrator with any informal enquiries: [email protected]

Please quote reference LD39048 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Scott Polar Research Institute

£36,024-£44,263

LD39048

Research

20 November 2023

10 December 2023