The deadline for applications is 23.59 on 28 November 2025

Interview date: to be confirmed

This publication is for a fixed period of up to 18 months.

Referring to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants wishing to be considered for SWR must ensure they can meet the point requirements before applying. There is more information about this at UK Visas and Immigration website.

The University of Reading seeks to employ PDRA in Holocene vegetation modeling to apply the optimum ecological evolution model of gross primary production to understand how climate changes during the Holocene affected vegetation properties, and how these changes in turn affected the isotopic composition of cave records. PDRA will engage in the design and analysis of model experiments to test clear hypotheses about the isotopic response to past climate and vegetation changes. This work will contribute to two major projects, an international project led by the University of Reading on developing optimal ecological evolution approaches to vegetation modeling and a NERC-funded project led by Northumbria University ‘When and why does it rain in the desert’. The post holder will be based in Reading and will be part of a team of early-career scientists there.

You will have:

• Doctorate degree in a relevant subject by the start date of appointment
• Good programming skills (r, Fortran, Python)
• Familiarity with eco-evolutionary optimization methods for modeling vegetation
• Experience working with large datasets and climate model outputs
• Analytical skills, including experience in multivariate analysis, time series, and geospatial statistics
• Previous research experience and publication record
• Ability to use own initiative and plan, manage and prioritize workload effectively to meet diverse and stringent project delivery deadlines

Contact details:

Contact name: Sandy B. Harrison
Communication function: supervisor
Contact email address: spharrison@reading.ac.uk

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the Athena SWAN Gender Equality Charter and Race Equality Charter, and advocates for LGBT+ equality. Applications for job shares, flexible and part-time working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.