Research Assistant/Associate in Palaeobiology (Fixed Term) in Cambridge

Research topic: Reconciling the Ediacaran and Cambrian fossil records of early animal evolution. Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in palaeontology/palaeobiology, to join a new NERC funded project. This project aims to gather fossil and geological data from spectacular new Ediacaran-age localities in southern Namibia to illuminate the early stages of animal evolution and diversification, and to ascertain the extent to which animals both drove, and responded to, major environmental shifts at the dawn of animal life.

By documenting new taxa and investigating the palaeoecology of bedding plane assemblages at the new sites, we seek to fundamentally reshape knowledge of latest Ediacaran early animal ecosystems and their role in setting the stage for the 'Cambrian explosion'. The project involves an international team of palaeontologists, sedimentary geologists and geochemists from the University of Cambridge (A. Liu, B. O'Connell), University of Namibia (C. Uahengo) and the Namibian Earth Science Museum at the Geological Survey of Namibia (H. Mocke).

The successful candidate will be based in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge and will work closely with Prof. Alex Liu and all co-investigators in the research team. They will describe and interpret new fossil taxa to inform the evolutionary timing and trajectory of animal diversification. They may also consider ichnological and palaeoecological data to document organism interactions and behaviours and reconstruct the ecosystem structure of these terminal Ediacaran palaeocommunities.

Applicants must have (or be about to obtain) a PhD in palaeobiology or palaeontology. Previous experience of undertaking geological/palaeontological fieldwork and systematic description of invertebrate fossil taxa is required, and a knowledge of phylogenetic methods and/or palaeoecological statistical techniques is desirable.

The research will include work with established museum collections in Namibia, and use of state-of-the-art imaging facilities in Cambridge, supplemented by collection of new fossil material during fieldwork in southern Namibia over the next two years, which the candidate will be required to participate in.

The successful candidate will be highly motivated, have good communication skills and ideally a strong publication record (commensurate with their career stage). Attending and presenting results at international conferences will be supported and encouraged, as will involvement in outreach activities. The successful applicant will be mentored and supported in developing their career and research interests by the Principal Investigator and University of Cambridge Postdoc Academy.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance, based on an anticipated start date of 01 April 2026. Salary ranges: Research Associate: £37,694-£46,049 (Grade 7). Appointment at the Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be under-appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38: £34,610), moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of their PhD award.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter explaining your motivation and experience for the role, and publication list in the upload section. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested they will not be considered as part of your application.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.