About Position/Job
The University of Cambridge is seeking an exceptional early-career researcher for the role of Research Assistant / Research Associate in the Department of Plant Sciences. This fixed-term position focuses on investigating how government incentive schemes and conservation management influence biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across the UK and Europe. The researcher will use Tessera, a geospatial foundation model developed at the University of Cambridge, to process time-series satellite imagery for land classification, canopy height estimation, and tracking landscape changes. The postholder will work with the NERC-funded Centre for Landscape Regeneration, contributing scientific evidence to inform nature recovery initiatives in the Scottish Highlands, Cumbria, and East Anglian fens. This role offers hands-on experience with stakeholder engagement, advanced geospatial modelling, and interdisciplinary collaboration, while generating high-impact publications and informing landscape management strategies.
Position/Job Details
- Position: Research Assistant / Research Associate
- Institution: University of Cambridge
- Department: Department of Plant Sciences
- Research field: Geospatial Analysis, Landscape Regeneration, Conservation Science
- Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Number of posts: 1
- Job Type: Full-time, Fixed Term
- Start Date (Anticipated): Immediate / As soon as possible
- Working Hours: Full Time
- Salary Range: £33,002 – £46,049 per annum
- Required Degree/Diploma: MSc / PhD
Research Area
- Landscape regeneration and nature recovery
- Biodiversity monitoring and ecosystem functioning
- Geospatial modelling using satellite imagery
- Carbon storage and woodland regeneration
- Environmental data integration and analysis
- Conservation management assessment
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- MSc or PhD in Plant Sciences, Ecology, Environmental Science, Geospatial Science, or related discipline
- Experience with geospatial data analysis, remote sensing, or satellite imagery
- Competence in data processing and statistical analysis
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with stakeholders
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with machine learning models or foundation models like Tessera
- Knowledge of carbon storage assessment, habitat condition monitoring, or landscape modelling
- Track record of scientific publications or report writing
- Familiarity with interdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement
Key Responsibilities
- Work with stakeholders to access datasets required for Tessera analyses
- Use Tessera to track UK and European landscape changes, including evaluating mapping accuracy
- Integrate environmental layers and additional sensor data for downstream analysis
- Apply Tessera-generated maps to address research questions relevant to stakeholders
- Collaborate with CLR modelling team to study land and waterway management impacts on biodiversity and carbon storage
- Publish results in international journals and contribute to project reporting
Application Process
How to Apply:
Submit your application online via the University of Cambridge recruitment system. R
Required Documents:
- Current CV
- Cover Letter
- Academic transcripts and relevant references
Important Dates
- Application Opens: Immediately
- Deadline: 7 January 2026
- Interview Date: To be confirmed
Useful Links
- Institution Website: University of Cambridge
- Official Notification Link: click here
- Apply now: click here
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