At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research on tropical forest ecosystems using remote sensing and ecological data.
- Company: Join Imperial College London, a top global university with a vibrant research community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, career development support, and international collaboration opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid work model with exciting international travel for fieldwork.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on biodiversity and ecosystem resilience while working in stunning tropical locations.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field, experience in ecological fieldwork, and strong data analysis skills.
The predicted salary is between 50733 - 59484 £ per year.
Research Associate in Tropical Forest Ecology, Remote Sensing and Ecosystem Resilience
Job number NAT02261 Faculties Faculty of Natural Sciences Departments Department of Life Sciences (Silwood Park) Salary or Salary range £50,733 - £59,484 per annum Location/campus Silwood Park Campus - Hybrid Contract type work pattern Full time - Fixed term Posting End Date 19 Aug 2026
About the role
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
You will play a leading role in delivering research activities across the ADAPTA programme, with a particular focus on integrating tropical forest field ecology, drone and satellite remote sensing, plant functional traits, biodiversity data and ecosystem resilience metrics.
The post-holder will
- 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 Li DAR 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 Ph D student projects, and contribute to training and knowledge exchange activities.
- What we are looking for
- A Ph D (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, Portuguess or French.
Desirable experience includes drone-based remote sensing, Li DAR 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 Asian.
- 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 Li DAR 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 Ph D 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.
Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.
Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.
About Imperial
Welcome to Imperial, a global top-ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.
Join us and be part of something bigger.
From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges.
Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.
As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.
This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial College London.
Our Culture
We work towards equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination, and to creating an inclusive working environment for all.
We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities.
You can read more about our commitment on our web pages .
Proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from the Armed Forces community.
Our values are at the root of everything we do, and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and innovation.
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Research Associate in Tropical Forest Ecology, Remote Sensing and Ecosystem Resilience employer: SONICOM
At SONICOM, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer by fostering a diverse and inclusive research environment that encourages collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our sector-leading salary and opportunities for professional development, making this an ideal place for passionate individuals to thrive in the field of mitochondrial medicine.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Associate in Tropical Forest Ecology, Remote Sensing and Ecosystem Resilience
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
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We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate in Tropical Forest Ecology, Remote Sensing and Ecosystem Resilience
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at SONICOM. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at SONICOM. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at SONICOM
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at SONICOM. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at SONICOM to drive research projects forward.
