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

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 understanding how species interactions affect response diversity.

Cardiff University is looking for an Early Stage Researcher within the Division of Organisms and Environment for the collaborative research project ‘Do biotic interactions homogenise responses and reduce response diversity?’ of the EU Horizon2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action: “ReDiLEEP”. Using science-driven response diversity knowledge to leverage efficient ecosystem preservation and restoration.

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 programme 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 less than 4 years past M.Sc. or equivalent.

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 1st April 2027. For informal enquiries please contact Dr Fredric Windsor at [email protected]

It is anticipated the basic annual salary will be in the region of £34,610 to £38,784 per 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.

Date advert posted: Tuesday, 13 October 2026

Closing date: Tuesday, 10 November 2026

Please be aware that interviews will be held week commencing 16th November 2026 via Microsoft Teams.

ESR eligibility criteria: Applicants should not have resided or performed their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3-year period immediately prior to the start date of the PhD research. Applicants for the ESR PhD positions should be in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers and not yet have been awarded a doctorate. This 4-year period is measured from the date of obtaining the degree which would formally entitle them to embark on a doctorate. Applicants must confirm and be prepared to provide evidence that they meet the Marie Sklodowska-Curie eligibility criteria as specified below.

Conditions of international mobility of researchers: Researchers are required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up the appointment. 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 Marie Sklodowska-Curie programme offers highly competitive and attractive salary and working conditions. The successful candidates will receive a salary in accordance with the Marie Sklodowska-Curie regulations for early stage and experienced researchers. Exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment. In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and active participation in workshops and conferences.