Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (Invasion Ecology)

TN United Kingdom; Leeds; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a prestigious research-intensive university as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Invasion Ecology. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research on biological invasions, focusing on developing innovative methodologies to predict and mitigate their impacts. You will engage in a mix of laboratory, field, and modeling work, with international fieldwork opportunities in diverse ecosystems. The position promises a supportive environment for professional growth, backed by generous holiday and health benefits, making it an ideal next step for ambitious researchers passionate about ecology.

Benefits

26 days holiday plus 16 bank holidays

Generous pension scheme

Health and Wellbeing benefits

Discounted gym memberships

On-site childcare

Shopping discounts

Travel schemes

Opportunities for personal development

Qualifications

• Experience designing and conducting lab and field studies in freshwater systems.
• Strong knowledge of invasion ecology and freshwater climate change.

Responsibilities

• Develop methodologies to understand and manage biological invasions.
• Conduct fieldwork abroad in various international locations.

Skills

Freshwater Invasion Ecology

Eco-evolutionary dynamics

Problem-solving skills

Stable isotope analysis

Large-scale experimental design

Education

PhD in Ecology or related field

Job description

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (Invasion Ecology)

Are you an ambitious researcher seeking your next challenge? Do you have a strong background in Freshwater Invasion Ecology? Are you eager to advance your career at one of the UK's leading research-intensive universities?

Biological invasions are a major driver of global change, leading to ecosystem alterations, biodiversity loss, and economic costs. Understanding the factors influencing the ecological impact of non-native invasive species is a global research priority. Current prediction methods have limitations and do not fully capture the complexity of natural environments. This project, part of an ambitious Future Leaders Fellowship, aims to develop trait-based and scalable methodologies to better understand, predict, manage, and prevent the negative effects of biological invasions.

This fellowship requires a combination of laboratory, field, and modelling approaches to address the complexity and context-dependency of invasive species impacts. We seek creative and dynamic researchers with problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate will have experience designing and conducting lab and field studies in freshwater systems, with strong knowledge of eco-evolutionary dynamics, invasion ecology, and freshwater climate change. Fieldwork will be conducted abroad in locations such as South Africa, Canada, Zambia, Turkey, or Indonesia, for periods up to four weeks. Experience coordinating international fieldwork and expertise in stable isotope analysis or large-scale experimental design in aquatic labs are desirable.

What we offer:

• 26 days holiday plus approximately 16 bank holidays (including Christmas), totaling 42 days off per year.
• Generous pension scheme with 14.5% employer contribution and life assurance.
• Health and Wellbeing benefits, including discounted gym memberships at The Edge, our campus fitness centre with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Opportunities for personal development through courses offered by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Additional benefits such as on-site childcare, shopping discounts, and travel schemes.