Research Fellow, EcoPotential: improving future ecosystem benefits through earth observations

We are seeking to appoint a talented and highly motivated Research Fellow to join a Horizon 2020 project entitled "EcoPotential: improving future ecosystem benefits through earth observations” (ECOPOTENTIAL; http://www.ecopotential-project.eu/). ECOPOTENTIAL aims to improve effective monitoring and modelling of the state and trends in ecosystem conditions and services, in particular using existing and incoming Earth Observation and field monitoring data, complemented by appropriate interpretation tools, data services and ecosystem models able to use these data. ECOPOTENTIAL project focuses its activities and pilot actions on a targeted set of internationally recognised protected areas (PA) in Europe, European Territories and beyond, including mountain, arid and semi-arid, and coastal and marine ecosystems. Building on the knowledge gained in individual PAs, the ECOPOTENTIAL project will address cross-scale ecological interactions and landscape-ecosystem dynamics at regional to continental scales, using geostatistical methods and the emerging novel approaches in Macrosystems Ecology.

Working within Work Package 6 (EO-based Ecosystem Modelling), your research will help shed light on fundamental relationships between nature and people’s cultural preferences, and build models and decision-support tools for PA managers to help maintain or enhance cultural value of internationally renowned PAs. This will be done mainly via modelling and mapping of Cultural Ecosystem Services using diverse data sources (Flickr photos, Citizen Science data, existing/new surveys), remote sensing data (provided by WP4 of ECOPOETNIAL) and geo-statistical and/or numerical simulation models.

You will have a PhD (or near completion at time of application)  or equivalent postdoctoral research experience in a relevant environmental/economic/social science field (e.g. Geography, Environmental Science and Management, Economics, Conservation Biology, Social Sciences, etc.). Experience of geo-statistical methods, spatial sciences, ecosystem services mapping/modelling, using remote-sensed products and processing of large datasets is essential. You will also have knowledge and use of Geographical Information Systems and associated spatial information technologies. The ideal candidate would also have knowledge and experience with computer scripting languages (e.g. Python).

The University of Leeds’ commitment to women in science has been recognised with a national accolade. The University has received the Athena SWAN Bronze Award and the Faculty of Environment holds the Athena SWAN Bronze Award in recognition of our success in recruiting, retaining and developing/promoting women in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET). We are proud of our commitment to equality and inclusiveness.

The University also offers family friendly policies including generous maternity and paternity leave; full details of the policies can be found here http://hr.leeds.ac.uk/homepage/4/policies.

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Guy Ziv, tel: +44 (0)113 343 7994, email g.ziv@leeds.ac.uk

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