Senior Research Associate in Vegetation and Fire Modelling

Overview

The University of Bristol is offering a permanent, full-time position for a Senior Research Associate in Vegetation and Fire Modelling within the Department of Evolutionary Biology. The successful candidate will join the research lab of Professor Martin De Kauwe to work on the Copernicus Fire and Land-Atmosphere Modelling of Emissions project. This initiative aims to advance scientific understanding of interactions between wildfires and vegetation to improve wildfire emission estimates, natural carbon dioxide flux calculations, and forecasting of fire activity, probability, and spread.

Who can apply

Applicants must hold or be close to being awarded a doctoral degree in physics, mathematics, vegetation modelling, atmospheric science, or a comparable quantitative field. Candidates need to bring substantial background experience in Earth system, land surface, ecosystem, or vegetation modelling, with a preference for experience related to disturbance, wildfire, or ecosystem recovery.

Requirements

The position calls for established programming and computing capabilities within a Unix or Linux environment, alongside a strong publication and research history proportionate to the candidate's career stage. Applicants must possess strong written and verbal communication abilities, as well as the capacity to function both independently and as a cooperative member of a research team.

What you get

The salary ranges from £44,746 to £50,253 per annum at Grade J. The position is open-ended with fixed funding secured for three years, operating on a full-time basis, though an appointment at eighty percent time can be considered. Hybrid working arrangements are available and open for discussion during the interview stage.

Key dates

The application process closes at 23:59 UK time on November 5, 2026. Interviews are scheduled to take place during the week commencing November 16, 2026.