Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Environmental Intelligence)

This new full-time post is available immediately on a fixed-term basis for up to 12 months.

The post
The Joint Centre of Excellence in Environmental Intelligence (JCEEI) wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (JCEEI Research Fellow) to work on data science and AI-related projects. The JCEEI (https://jceei.org/) is a collaborative research centre operated jointly by the University of Exeter and the Met Office. The JCEEI Research Fellow will join a small team of researchers that work across a variety of projects and activities within the JCEEI, spending time at both University of Exeter (Streatham campus) and Met Office (Exeter office). Projects will all involve the application of data science and AI to environmental challenges, but will vary over time; our JCEEI Research Fellows typically work on one or two projects simultaneously, with each project lasting a few months. This role will offer opportunities for academic publications as well as the chance for real-world impact. The role will suit a data scientist or similar researcher with experience of working in an interdisciplinary research context. Expertise in environmental data science or related areas is beneficial but not essential.

Main purpose of the job:
The JCEEI Research Fellow will provide expertise in data science and/or AI techniques within the JCEEI. They will apply and demonstrate skills such as data analysis, statistics, programming, data visualisation, text/image analysis, and machine learning. They will take responsibility for a number of projects that might include working with external partners or with researchers at University of Exeter and Met Office. Current projects include working with an insurance company to estimate the property risk associated with climate change; developing a “climate chatbot” that uses large language models to create natural language interfaces into climate science reports; developing geospatial foundation models for marine applications; using computer vision to identify atmospheric rotors from satellite imagery. Alongside working on projects allocated by the JCEEI Co-Directors, the JCEEI Research Fellow will be allocated time to develop their own research activity related to the JCEEI aims and to publish academic papers in relevant journals.

About you
The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study (e.g. data sciences, AI, machine learning, statistics). The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required. Applicants will also be:

• Motivated to solve problems related to the environment and sustainability.
• Possess in-depth understanding of this specialism to enable the development of new knowledge and understanding within the field.
• Show evidence of the ability to collaborate actively in an interdisciplinary context and to work with partners to complete research projects and advance thinking.
• Developing new concepts and ideas to extend intellectual understanding.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button) for full details of this role.

Further information
For further information please contact Prof Hywel Williams, e-mail: h.t.p.williams@exeter.ac.uk.

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