Post Doctoral Research Associate SABER

Weekly Working Hours:  37

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 4 years from start date

Welsh Language Standard:  Not Applicable

Job Description: 

About the Role

The role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office and whilst it will be possible to work remotely for the majority of the time, applicants will be expected to be on campus in Milton Keynes approximately once per week.

The School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences’ Director of Research, Professor Neil Edwards, and OU colleagues Drs Phil Holden and Luke Mander, have been successfully awarded a Leverhulme research project grant titled ‘South American Biodiversity Evolutionary Reconstructions’. The project’s ambitious overall goal is to explain the evolution and distribution of biodiversity in the Amazon, integrating insights from present and past observational and genetic data with multi-million year modelling of the climatic and environmental drivers of change. The project will contribute to the development of ground-breaking biodiversity simulation models in collaboration with internationally renowned researchers in Brazil, Australia, the UK and elsewhere.

Please see the full Job Description here for more information: Job Description

Key Responsibilities

To address the objectives of the project, two Research Associates (RAs) will be appointed and will undertake duties to include the following principal tasks:

Research Associate 1

In years one and two, will focus on palaeoclimate modelling and statistical emulation working with Edwards and Holden.  In years two and three, they will work on developing and calibrating the evolutionary biodiversity model, working closely with collaborator and leading international biodiversity modeller Thiago Rangel in Brazil and with Research Associate 2.  In the final year they will collaborate closely with Research Associate 2 to understand the evolution of real-world Amazonian biodiversity as evidenced in modern and past observational records.

Research Associate 2

Will collate empirical data on past and present Amazonian flora and fauna, working closely with Mander and assisted by leading observational biodiversity experts in the wider international project team. They will undertake taxonomic work on existing and newly-created datasets, and will design and analyse indicators of past and present Amazonian biodiversity. In the final year they will collaborate closely with Research Associate 1 combining data and modelling to understand the evolution of Amazonian biodiversity.

Please see the full Job Description here for more information: Job Description

Skills and Experience

Essential Requirements

• PhD in a relevant discipline awarded or submitted by the start date.
• Experience in complex mathematical or statistical modelling, or potentially high-level programming in another area coupled with mathematical and/or statistical expertise.
• A developing track record of peer-reviewed publications in international journals.
• Time management and project planning skills.
• The ability to present your research effectively to colleagues and to the wider community.
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a diverse international team.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• A commitment to your own personal development.

Please see the full Job Description here for more information: Job Description

If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application, please contact Professor Neil Edwards - neil.edwards@open.ac.uk

To apply for this role please submit the following;

• Personal statement, up to 1,000 words, you should set out in your statement why you’re interested in this role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role as detailed in the job description essential and desirable criteria.  
• CV. 

Interviews are expected to be in early January 2025.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential.  We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.