Marie Sklodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher (ESR) in Network Ecology and Response Diversity (ID: 935) in Cardiff

Organisation/Company Cardiff University Department Human Resources Division Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 10 Nov 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/London) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Apr 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon 2020 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Response diversity describes the variation in how individuals, species, or functional groups respond to environmental change and the concept is increasingly recognised as a key driver of ecosystem resilience. Understanding and promoting response diversity is therefore essential for conserving biodiversity and supporting resilient ecosystems in a changing world.

Cardiff University invites applications for a Doctoral Candidate position within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network ReDiLEEP. ReDiLEEP brings together leading universities, research institutes, and non-academic partners across Europe and beyond to advance response diversity research and translate new knowledge into ecosystem management, restoration, and biodiversity policy.

The Doctoral Candidate will contribute to this effort by investigating response diversity across ecosystems, focusing on the development of monitoring methods to investigate response diversity in the real-world.

Cardiff University is looking for an Early Stage Researcher within the Division of Organisms and Environment for the collaborative research projects ‘How can we measure response diversity at scale and across different taxa?’ of the EU Horizon2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action: “ReDiLEEP” Using science-driven response diversity knowledge to leverage efficient ecosystem preservation and restoration. ReDiLEEP brings together leading universities, research institutes, and non-academic partners across Europe and beyond to advance response‑diversity research and translate new knowledge into ecosystem management, restoration, and biodiversity policy.

As part of the position, the successful candidate will be enrolled as a staff candidate for a PhD at Cardiff University.ESR PhD students will benefit from a dedicated training program in the various fields of expertise of the consortium partners.

Conditions of international mobility of researchers: Researchers will undertake trans-national secondments (i.e. move from one country to another). At the time of selection by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account. The candidates must not yet have been awarded a doctorate degree and should have <4>

English language: It is a requirement that applicants will show that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficient for them to derive the full benefit from the network training, and to embark on a doctorate at a UK University.

This is a full-time position (35 hours per week), fixed-term for 3 years and is available from 1stApril 2027.

It is anticipated the basic annual salary will be in the region of £34,610 to £38,784per annum, exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment. In addition to basic salary, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher positions also attract living and mobility allowances, dependent on individual circumstances.

Job Description

This project will generate understanding surrounding the role of biotic interactions in response diversity, which is critical to translate this concept into real world ecosystems. The successful candidate will work as part of an innovative, multidisciplinary and dynamic research team with state-of-the-art facilities.

Research

• To undertake research activities including the planning, preparation, set-up, conduct and accurate recording of experiments, data analysis, and desktop research. The postholder will review the current biomonitoring landscape and the role of response diversity within existing frameworks, scope and develop practical methods for measuring response diversity across spatial, temporal, and taxonomic scales, and test and apply monitoring tools and techniques to evaluate response diversity in conservation and restoration activities.
• To participate in maintaining laboratory facilities, and assist other members of the group by sharing knowledge and expertise.
• Collaborate with others to tackle interdisciplinary problems in close collaboration with experts from adjacent disciplines.
• Actively participate within the research group, communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners.
• To contribute to research publications and presentations as required.
• To contribute and support research funding bids as required.
• To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages.
• To resolve issues and support senior colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• To generate research output and contribute to the development of independent and original ideas as appropriate.
• To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.

Other

• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
• To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Qualifications

• 1.A Batchelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent relevant research experience.
• 2.Expertise/knowledge in ecology.
• 3.Knowledge of research methods and techniques in community ecology.
• 4.Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies
• 5.Proven ability to analyse complex information and summaries appropriately.
• 6.Proven communication skills, including presentation to various audiences.
• 7.Excellent organisational and team-working skills.
• 8.Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation, teamworking and accuracy within work.
• 1.Expertise in organism, population or community responses to environmental change.
• 2.Relevant field work experience (e.g., ecoacoustics).

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