Research Associate in Tropical Forest Ecology, Remote Sensing and Ecosystem Resilience in London

The Biodiversity and Earth Observation Lab, led by Dr Jesús Aguirre Gutiérrez in the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College London, invites applications for an outstanding Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator-funded project ADAPTA.

ADAPTA aims to understand and quantify the resilience of tropical forest ecosystems across the tropics by combining ecological field data, plant functional traits, biodiversity observations, Earth Observation technologies and machine-learning approaches. The successful candidate will join a vibrant and highly international research team based at the Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet at Silwood Park Campus. The project combines tropical forest ecology, remote sensing and data science to investigate how biodiversity influences ecosystem resilience and how these processes can be monitored with remote sensing approaches at scale.

This position offers extensive opportunities for international collaboration and fieldwork across tropical regions, working with partners at Imperial College London (UK), the University of Oxford (UK), the University of Leeds (UK), Leiden University (NL), Naturalis Biodiversity Center (NL) and collaborators in the countries where the project operates (across the tropics).

What you would be doing

• Lead ecological and remote sensing field campaigns across tropical forest ecosystems.
• Coordinate fieldwork logistics, permits and collaborations with international partners.
• Collect ecological, plant functional trait, vegetation structure and biodiversity data from permanent forest plots.
• Acquire and analyse drone-based multispectral and LiDAR data, alongside satellite Earth Observation products.
• Develop and apply approaches to quantify ecosystem functioning, biodiversity and resilience from remote sensing data.
• Integrate field, drone and satellite observations to generate new biodiversity and ecosystem resilience products.
• Collaborate with machine-learning specialists to develop scalable methods for mapping tropical forest structure and function.
• Lead and co-author manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals and present research at conferences.
• Teach and support undergraduate, Master’s and PhD student projects, and contribute to training and knowledge exchange activities.

What we are looking for

• A PhD (or equivalent) in Ecology, Remote Sensing, Environmental Science, Geography or a related discipline.
• Experience conducting ecological fieldwork, ideally in tropical forest ecosystems and multicultural research environments.
• Experience collecting and/or analysing ecological, spatial and remote sensing datasets.
• Strong quantitative skills, including proficiency in R and/or Python, and ideally Google Earth Engine.
• Demonstrated understanding of biodiversity science, tropical forest ecology, ecosystem functioning, resilience and/or Earth Observation.
• A strong publication record appropriate to career stage and the ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present research to scientific and non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing deadlines and contribute positively to a collaborative research team.
• Willingness to travel internationally for fieldwork, workshops, meetings and conferences.
• Fluency in English and one or all of the next: Spanish, Portuguese or French.
• Desirable experience includes drone-based remote sensing, LiDAR and multispectral data analysis, machine learning applications in ecology, experience working with tropical forest plot networks.

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to work on a prestigious ERC Consolidator-funded project addressing globally important questions about biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
• Extensive international collaboration with leading institutions and partners across Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia.
• Opportunities for fieldwork across some of the world’s most important tropical forest ecosystems.
• Access to state-of-the-art remote sensing technologies, including drone-based LiDAR and multispectral sensors.
• Inclusion in a supportive, interdisciplinary and ambitious research group at the Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet.
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution.
• Access to Imperial’s sector-leading career development support for researchers, including opportunities for training, progression and collaboration.
• A sector-leading salary and remuneration package, including generous annual leave and pension schemes.

Further information: Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant. This post is funded through the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant ADAPTA. The contract is fixed-term and full-time for 24 months, with the possibility of extension subject to funding availability. The post is based at the Silwood Park Campus with the possibility of one or two days per week of remote work. The role includes regular international travel and fieldwork across tropical forest regions, as well as UK-based work for fieldwork planning, data analysis, training and collaboration.

If you require any further details on the role, please contact: Dr Jesús Aguirre-Gutiérrez j.aguirregutierrez@imperial.ac.uk