Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy
The above full-time post is available, on a fixed term basis, from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 in the Faculty. We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements.
The post
The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the work of Professors Brazier and Anderson and Drs Gatis, Benaud and Luscombe. Based in the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW) this BBSRC, Natural England, South West Water and Devon Wildlife Trust funded post is available from 01/04/2024 to 31/03/2025. The successful applicant will combine remotely sensed datasets with machine learning to map peat extents, habitats, habitat condition and change.
The post will include:
- Obtaining and managing spatial datasets (including metadata and licencing), using open-source data and open access platforms where possible.
- Training and implementing machine learning and deep learning techniques such a random forest and artificial neural networks for data classification and regression (including uncertainty estimation).
- Working with project partners to co-design tools to quantitatively assess habitat condition and change.
- Coding those tools in an appropriate software platform so they are robust, repeatable and user friendly.
About you
The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.
Applicants will possess a relevant PhD (or nearing completion) or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will have knowledge and experience of machine learning techniques and uncertainty quantification, ideally using spatial datasets to map spatially variable properties within platforms such as RStudio, Google Earth Engine, QGIS or similar. A knowledge of remotely sensed data products, their information content and limitations is desirable. Similarly, knowledge of, or interest in, British ecology would be an advantage.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.
What we can offer you
- Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
- Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
- An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
- Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career
- A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon
The University of Exeter
We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.
Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99 percent
of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).
We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment
We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.
Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.
With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.
For further information please contact Dr Naomi Gatis, e-mail N.Gatis@exeter.ac.uk.