University of Cambridge
Research Associate (Fixed Term)
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Job Title
We are looking for an exceptional, driven postdoctoral researcher to lead a high-impact project bridging the gap between frontier geospatial data science and real-world insect conservation. You will focus on recovery of the moss carder bee (Bombus muscorum), an iconic bumblebee species classed as 'vulnerable' in the latest European Red List of bees. You will join a Species Recovery Programme project led by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, funded by Natural England.
This is an exciting opportunity to translate cutting edge biodiversity and earth observation scientific advances into direct actionable evidence for nature recovery and biodiversity policy.
Responsibilities
- To drive targeted recovery actions and inform targeted field surveys, you will build and evaluate high-resolution (10m scale) predictive Species Distribution Models (SDMs) across Europe.
- To achieve this, you will harness TESSERA, an open, land-oriented remote sensing foundation model developed at the University of Cambridge.
- Beyond species mapping, you will help directly evaluate real-world conservation interventions.
- Working alongside our partner, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, you will deploy rigorous statistical matching algorithms to construct matched control sites for trial intervention areas across three critical recovery sites in England.
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Team and Environment
Joining the vibrant Cambridge Agroecology Group within the Department of Zoology, you will be embedded in a world-leading scientific network as a member of the Cambridge Conservation Research Institute (CCRI) and the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI) - one of the largest clusters of biodiversity researchers and policy experts on Earth.
- Close teamwork and a collaborative spirit will be essential, but team members will be expected to demonstrate scientific independence matching their technical expertise.
- There will be opportunities to contribute to training new team members, to supporting and supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students and to general project management, as well as to participate in public engagement activities.
Supervision and Duration
- The post will be supervised by Professor Lynn Dicks.
- The preferred start date is 12 October 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Application Details
- For more information, please refer to the Further Particulars document.
- The closing date for applications is midnight (GMT) on 30 August 2026.
- The interview for this role is expected to take place on 24 or 25 September 2026 (subject to change).
- Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for up to 12 months.
- 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.
- Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
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Contact Information
- Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to: Lynn Dicks [email: lvd22@cam.ac.uk]
- If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Zoology HR Office [email: hr@zoo.cam.ac.uk]
- Please quote reference PF50617 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
University Policy
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.
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