Back to jobs
The University of Edinburgh
Postdoctoral Research Associate
City of Edinburgh On-site 2-5 yrs exp£41k – £49k / year
Population ModellingDemographyEcological ForecastingStatistical Tool DevelopmentWeather Driver Identification
Requirements
The posting does not specify formal education, years of experience, or other mandatory qualifications. The role calls for research capability in population modelling, demography, ecological forecasting, statistical methods, and Open Science, along with the ability to collaborate and contribute to research outputs.
Job Description
Job Description
Grade UE07: £41,064-48,822 per annum
School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Ecology and Evolution
Full-time: 35 hours per week
Fixed term: Until 31 October 2030
The Opportunity
We are looking for a postdoctoral research assistant as part of the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship: ‘FORESIGHT: predicting population responses to climate change’.
This postdoctoral position will focus primarily on establishing ‘how changes in climate cause population change in birds and mammals’. A proportion of the position’s time will be spent contributing to Open Science initiatives and databases through the SPI-Birds network and database ( https://spibirds.org/en ). There will also be opportunities to explore drivers of predictability in ecology and to contribute to cross-sector workshops with conservation and policy organisations.
The role will involve conducting research to identify weather drivers, population modelling, demography, and ecological forecasting, as well as producing and testing statistical tools. The post holder will also be expected to contribute to the development of new ideas and approaches, to contribute to the overall direction of the research project, and to contribute to publishing or otherwise disseminating the outputs of research, likely including R package development as well as academic publications.
The postdoctoral research assistant will work as part of various teams, including Dr Emily Simmonds’ group at the University of Edinburgh and the SPI-Birds development team based in the Netherlands but with contributors across Europe. This role combines methodological development and research on a pressing societal challenge, with Open Science, and the potential for applied impact and would suit someone whose interests span this spectrum.
The successful candidate will benefit from individual training and travel funding and will join a growing research group in a highly supportive environment.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week).
View the full job description (opens in a new browser tab)
How To Apply
Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also a Stonewall Proud Employer, actively promoting LGBTQ+ equality.
We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and all backgrounds. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab)
The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 6 November 2026.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
Interviews dates to be confirmed.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About The Team
As the modern inheritors of our 400-year-old reputation for excellence, our staff and students contribute to a vibrant academic community whose visions are shaping tomorrow’s world. The School of Biological Sciences is at the leading edge in teaching, research and innovation. Independent rankings such as the Times Higher Education consistently place us amongst the top 25 universities in the world for biological sciences. We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and to recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development opportunities for all staff. We place a particular focus on development for early-career researchers (postgraduate and postdoctoral research staff and personal fellowship holders), offering mentoring and an active ‘BioDocSoc’ organisation that brings together researchers for networking, events and training opportunities.
The School of Biological Sciences holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance the representation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.
Our website contains more information about the School.
Grade UE07: £41,064-48,822 per annum
School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Ecology and Evolution
Full-time: 35 hours per week
Fixed term: Until 31 October 2030
The Opportunity
We are looking for a postdoctoral research assistant as part of the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship: ‘FORESIGHT: predicting population responses to climate change’.
This postdoctoral position will focus primarily on establishing ‘how changes in climate cause population change in birds and mammals’. A proportion of the position’s time will be spent contributing to Open Science initiatives and databases through the SPI-Birds network and database ( https://spibirds.org/en ). There will also be opportunities to explore drivers of predictability in ecology and to contribute to cross-sector workshops with conservation and policy organisations.
The role will involve conducting research to identify weather drivers, population modelling, demography, and ecological forecasting, as well as producing and testing statistical tools. The post holder will also be expected to contribute to the development of new ideas and approaches, to contribute to the overall direction of the research project, and to contribute to publishing or otherwise disseminating the outputs of research, likely including R package development as well as academic publications.
The postdoctoral research assistant will work as part of various teams, including Dr Emily Simmonds’ group at the University of Edinburgh and the SPI-Birds development team based in the Netherlands but with contributors across Europe. This role combines methodological development and research on a pressing societal challenge, with Open Science, and the potential for applied impact and would suit someone whose interests span this spectrum.
The successful candidate will benefit from individual training and travel funding and will join a growing research group in a highly supportive environment.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week).
View the full job description (opens in a new browser tab)
How To Apply
Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:
- CV
- Cover letter
- A competitive salary.
- An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
- To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
- Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also a Stonewall Proud Employer, actively promoting LGBTQ+ equality.
We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and all backgrounds. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab)
The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 6 November 2026.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
Interviews dates to be confirmed.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About The Team
As the modern inheritors of our 400-year-old reputation for excellence, our staff and students contribute to a vibrant academic community whose visions are shaping tomorrow’s world. The School of Biological Sciences is at the leading edge in teaching, research and innovation. Independent rankings such as the Times Higher Education consistently place us amongst the top 25 universities in the world for biological sciences. We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and to recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development opportunities for all staff. We place a particular focus on development for early-career researchers (postgraduate and postdoctoral research staff and personal fellowship holders), offering mentoring and an active ‘BioDocSoc’ organisation that brings together researchers for networking, events and training opportunities.
The School of Biological Sciences holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance the representation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.
Our website contains more information about the School.
Skills
Population ModellingDemographyEcological ForecastingStatistical Tool DevelopmentWeather Driver IdentificationResearchOpen ScienceDatabase DevelopmentR Package DevelopmentAcademic PublishingClimate Change EcologyCross-Sector Collaboration