Academic ConnectPostdoctoral Research Associate - Landscape Restoration and Connectivity (fixed-term)
Postdoctoral Research Associate - Landscape Restoration and Connectivity (fixed-term)
The Role:
As a Research Associate, you will develop a practical guide for monitoring the success of landscape restoration activities for improving ecological connectivity. This guide will be applied to ongoing restoration projects across Europe. The project is a growing collaborative effort to provide reliable science for conservation and restoration efforts.
You will work with a highly collaborative team led by Prof Robert Fletcher in the Department of Zoology. You will be based in the Cambridge Conservation Initiative's campus in the David Attenborough Building - a global hub which brings together over 500 conservation researchers, practitioners and policy makers from across the University and nine different conservation organisations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Evaluate and develop new metrics for monitoring how restoration may influence connectivity.
- Apply metrics to three restoration projects occurring throughout Europe.
- Work with partners on projects to improve monitoring and create a guide for future projects.
- Produce high-quality peer-reviewed publications.
- Take a lead role in writing of manuscripts.
- Train and mentor junior group members.
- Participate in the general running and growth of the group as required.
Skills and Qualifications:
Required
- PhD in a relevant subject (e.g., ecology, biology, conservation), with some training in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or conservation modelling.
- Knowledge of ecology, land-use change, the use of metrics and indicators, and applications to restoration and conservation.
- Excellent skills in modelling and geospatial analysis.
- Ambition, drive, strong work ethic, and good interpersonal skills.
- Experience with the R programming language.
- The ability to organise time and work effectively, independently and responsibly in a research team setting.
- Enthusiasm to interact with colleagues within the University and in external conservation organisations.
- Proven ability to analyse and write scientific results.
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral).
- Excellent publication record.
Desirable
- Proven ability to work with large datasets.
- Experience mentoring junior scientists.
Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to: Prof Rob Fletcher rf497@cam.ac.uk
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 11 months in the first instance.
Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.
Flexible working requests will be considered.
We particularly welcome applications from women and candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our University.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Paulina Lasocka or Anastasia Nezhentseva hr@zoo.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PF48812 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
Department of Zoology
Salary
£37,694-£46,049
Reference
PF48812
Category
Research
Date published
11 February 2026
Closing date
1 March 2026
Find Your Best Opportunity
Tell them AcademicJobs.com sent you!
