Academic ConnectResearch Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term)
Research Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term)
We are seeking an exceptional early-career researcher to investigate how government incentive schemes and conservation management influence biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across the UK and Europe. This position will focus on applying Tessera, a geospatial foundation model that processes time-series satellite imagery for tasks such as land classification and canopy height estimation. Developed at the University of Cambridge, Tessera enables highly efficient extraction of temporal patterns from Earth observation data, which we aim to use to track recent changes in landscapes managed for nature, timber, and food production. The postdoctoral researcher will join the NERC-funded Centre for Landscape Regeneration, generating scientific evidence to inform the management of ambitious nature recovery initiatives in the Scottish Highlands (Cairngorms Connect), Cumbria (Cumbria Connect) and the East Anglian fens
The following research activities are planned:
- Work with stakeholders on access to datasets needed for downstream Tessera tasks, including assessment of habitat condition, carbon storage and woodland regeneration
- Use Tessera to track changes in UK and European landscapes, exploring the potential for integrating environmental layers and data from additional sensors in the downstream tasks. Evaluate the accuracy of Tessera mapping products
- Use Tessera generated maps to address scientific questions that are relevant to stakeholders, and publish work in international journals
- Collaborate with the CLR modelling team to understand how alternative management of land and waterways would impact on carbon storage and biodiversity.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 14 months in the first instance.
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Please notice that if you have not received any news from us 1 month after the closing date you should consider that on this occasion your application has not been successful.
Please quote reference PD48274 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.
Key information
Department/location
Salary
£33,002-£46,049
Reference
PD48274
Category
Date published
16 December 2025
Closing date
12 January 2026
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