Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Palaeofire Analysis
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Position Overview & Specifications
We seeking to recruit a PDRA in Palaeofire Analysis to join the dynamic research team of the Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society, an exciting and ground breaking joint initiative of Imperial College, Kings College, Royal Holloway and the University of Reading. The Palaeofire PDRA will be responsible for the analysis of changes in fire regimes in response to past environmental and climate changes, using large-scale data synthesis and fire modelling. The main responsibilities of the PDRA will be the collection and analysis of relevant palaeodata sets. The PDRA will be involved in the design and analysis of model experiments to test explicit hypotheses about the response of fire to environmental and climate change in the past. The postholder will be based in Reading but will be expected to spend time at Imperial College in order to work with the PDRAs who are based there. The post is initially funded for 12 months but, subject to the extension of funding during Phase 2 of the Leverhulme Centre, is likely to continue beyond this.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Academic qualifications in physics, geography, ecology, environmental science or a related subject at MSc/MA level, and a PhD in a relevant subject by the start date of the appointment
- A strong interest in palaeofire and palaoeclimate research
- Hands-on experience of working with charcoal data to reconstruct past fire regimes
- Database skills (ACCESS, mySQL)
- Good programming skills (r, Fortran, Python)
- Familiarity of statistical approaches to palaeodata analysis, including time series and geostatistics
- Previous research experience and publication record
-
Ability to use own initiative and plan, manage and prioritise workload effectively to meet varied and strict project delivery deadlines
Interviews will be held on 11/12 April 2023, with the expectation that the appointment will start as soon as possible thereafter.
Informal contact details
Alternative informal contact details
Contact role:
Supervisor
Contact role:
Project manager, Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society
Contact name:
Sandy P. Harrison
Contact name:
Adriana Ford
Contact phone:
+44 (0)118 378 5258
Contact phone:
N/A
Contact email:
s.p.harrison@reading.ac.uk
Contact email:
a.ford@imperial.ac.uk
Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants should ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement under the PBS. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.
The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and is a Diversity Champion for Stonewall, the leading LGBT+ rights organisation. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.
Candidate Selection & Onboarding Process
Application & Resume Screening
Submit your tailored CV/Resume directly to the talent acquisition portal.
Technical & Competency Interviews
Virtual interviews with the hiring manager and multidisciplinary team.
Formal Offer & Benefits Negotiation
Written agreement outlining compensation, equity, retirement vesting, and relocation allowances.
Onboarding & Corporate Integration
Equipment provisioning, team orientation, and commencement of duties.
United Kingdom Right to Work & Skilled Worker Visa Guide
Employment in the United Kingdom requires legal Right to Work verified under the Home Office Points-Based Immigration System:
Sponsoring employers must hold an active Home Office A-rated Sponsor License and assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Role must meet the general minimum salary threshold (£38,700) or occupation going rate.
Continuous employment under Skilled Worker status establishes eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years, leading to British Citizenship.
Candidate Preparation Blueprint: Colleges & Universities
Based on transatlantic hiring benchmarks for Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Palaeofire Analysis roles across University of Reading's corporate sector, successful applicants typically excel across three core dimensions:
Demonstrated portfolio evidence, architecture/system design case studies, or validated professional certifications directly applicable to Colleges & Universities.
STAR method competency responses highlighting cross-functional leadership, conflict resolution, and delivering measurable enterprise ROI under tight timelines.
Total compensation expectation aligned within the benchmarked £32,348 - £32,348 bracket, including retirement vesting and health parity.
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