Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (Invasion Ecology)

University of Leeds; Leeds; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK research university is seeking a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow specializing in Freshwater Invasion Ecology. This role combines lab, field, and modeling efforts to understand biological invasions and facilitate significant ecological research. Candidates must have a background in designing experiments, coordinating international fieldwork, and a deep understanding of eco-evolutionary dynamics. Competitive benefits include generous leave, a strong pension scheme, and access to excellent facilities.

Benefits

26 days holiday plus approx. 16 Bank Holidays

Generous pension scheme

Discounted gym membership

On-site childcare

Qualifications

• Experience in designing and performing lab and field campaigns in freshwater systems.
• Knowledge of eco-evolutionary dynamics and invasion ecology.
• Capability in conducting stable isotope analysis.

Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory, field, and modelling approaches to study invasive species.
• Coordinate and implement fieldwork abroad in partner locations.
• Utilize trait-based methodologies for ecological studies.

Skills

Eco-evolutionary dynamics

Invasion ecology

Freshwater climate change

Laboratory and fieldwork

Job description

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (Invasion Ecology)

Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have an established background in Freshwater Invasion Ecology? Do you want to further your career in one of the UKs leading research intensive Universities?

Biological invasions are a key driver of global change, causing irreversible ecosystem change, biodiversity loss and enormous economic burden. It is a global research priority to better understand what factors increase or dampen ecological impact of non-native invasive species. Current methods to predict impact have limited utility due to equivocal results depending on geographic location (space) and invasion stage (time) and do not scale to the complexity of natural environments. This project will form part of an ambitious Future Leaders Fellowship to develop trait based and scalable methodologies to better understand, predict, manage, and prevent negative effects of biological invasions.

This Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship will require laboratory, field and modelling approaches to untangle the complexity and context dependency of invasive species ecological impact. We look forward to interviewing creative and dynamic researchers with a flair for problem solving. The candidate must have experience in designing and performing lab and field campaigns in freshwater systems and have excellent knowledge of eco-evolutionary dynamics, invasion ecology, and freshwater climate change. Both laboratory and fieldwork will be completed abroad in at least one of these partner locations (South Africa, Canada, Zambia, Turkey, Indonesia) for periods no longer than four weeks. Experience of coordinating and implementing fieldwork abroad is desirable, as is a strong demonstration of stable isotope analysis or large-scale experimental design in an aquatics lab.

What we offer in return :

• 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays / days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance– the University contributes 14.5% of salary.
• Health and Wellbeing : Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development : Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.
• And much more!