Research Associate

The School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Cardiff University is a dynamic and successful multi-disciplinary centre devoted to research in the disciplines of Earth and Ocean Sciences.

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position based in Cardiff on a large project: “European Soil Erosion Monitoring and Modelling Network for Sustainable Agricultural Land Management (EUROSION)” with colleagues from 23 partner organisations across the European Union and Associated Countries funded by the EU Horizon programme.

Working with Professor Adrian Chappell and colleagues across the network of partners, the Cardiff PDRA will develop an existing sediment transport model to estimate wind erosion using satellite remote sensing data across scales (from field to region) to co-develop scenarios with models to assess impacts of land management practices on reducing soil erosion across Europe

The PDRA will use their background in aeolian research and specifically skills in coding and environmental satellite remote sensing (ideally within the Google Earth Engine platform) to estimate wind erosion. The PDRA will conduct the calibration and validation of wind erosion by using field measurements provided by the network partners, develop the modelling scheme as necessary, and then apply the estimates to evaluate management practices. The PDRA may have the opportunity to join fieldwork campaigns across monitoring sites. In addition to these duties, the PDRA will be expected to produce work of publishable quality for appropriate high-quality, peer-reviewed journals, present papers at national and international meetings and contribute to the development of collaborative research grants. The successful applicant will hold a Ph.D. in Geography or a relevant environment-related subject.

This position is full time (35 hours per week). The post is available from 1st June 2025 and is a fixed-term appointment for 60 months.

Salary: £40,497 to £45,413 per annum (Grade 6)

Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Adrian Chappell, email: chappella2@cardiff.ac.uk

For further details about working in Cardiff University please email: EarthHR@cardiff.ac.uk

Closing date: Thursday, 12 June 2025

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Advert information