Contractual hours: 35

Region: South

Job category/type: Research

Job description

Fixed term contract (initially for up to 15 months with the potential for extension subject to funding)

By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants wishing to consider the SWR must ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement before applying. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

The PDRA in EEO Fire Modelling will work on the LEMONTREE (Land Ecosystem Models based On New Theory, observations and Experiments) project and will be part of a team of scientists developing a theoretical basis for modelling wildfire-vegetation interactions, based on eco-evolutionary optimality (EEO) theory. The PDRA will be explicitly responsible for extending the current EEO modelling framework to simulate wildfire occurrence on a weekly timestep, including incorporating modules for vegetation cover, fuel load and drying, and propensity to burn. They will also be responsible for evaluating and optimising the performance of the modelling framework using field and laboratory experiments.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A PhD in environmental science or closely related discipline by the start date of the appointment
• A good understanding of the environmental controls on wildfires
• Familiarity with current statistical and process-based approaches to wildfire modelling
• Broad understanding of eco-evolutionary optimality concepts and modelling
• Good programming skills, specifically R and Python
• Familiarity with statistical approaches used for model evaluation
• Previous research experience and publication record

Contact details for advert

Contact Name: Sandy P. Harrison

Job Title: Professor

Email address: s.p.harrison@reading.ac.uk

Alternative Contact Name Sophia Cain

Alternative Contact Job Title Lemontree Project Coordinator

Alternative Contact Email address s.l.cain@reading.ac.uk

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality.

We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs

Closing date: 23:59 06/06/2027

Interviews will be held: 12 June 2026, with the expectation that the appointment will start as soon as possible thereafter.