Job Description

Ref Number

B03-02471

Professional Expertise

Research and Research Support

Department

UCL SLASH (B03)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

See advert text

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

Hybrid

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

15-Jun-2025

About us

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University College London (UCL) is one of the world's top universities. Based in the heart of London, it is a dynamic, outward-looking institution. At its establishment in 1826, UCL was radical and responsive to the needs of society, and this ethos - that excellence should go hand-in-hand with enriching society - continues today.



The UCL Department of Geographyis a leading UK and global department, with a heritage of excellence in research, renowned for its innovative and interdisciplinary research to understanding complex global challenges. It brings together expertise in physical and human geography to explore critical issues such as climate change, sustainable development, and social justice. The department fosters an interdisciplinary approach, equipping students and researchers with the skills to critically engage with the complex interactions between people, places, and environments.

About the role

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A recently funded EU Water4All 2023 Joint Transnational Call on Aquatic Ecosystem Services project, DOWES (

D

isclosing

the O

verlooked

W

etlandscape

E

cosystem

S

ervices), aims to resolve the interlinkages between water availability in wetlandscapes, their responses and stressors, and the provision of ecosystem services within and beyond their area of influence through synthesis across protected wetlandscapes in Europe, UK, Brazil, and Colombia.



Wetlands are widely recognised for providing diverse ecosystem services, including biodiversity support, water quality improvement, flood attenuation, recreation, climate regulation, coastal protection, and ensuring food and water security. However, the spatial aggregation of wetland units into broader wetlandscapes adds complexity to the provision and evaluation of wetlandscape ecosystem services (WES). The structural, ecological, hydrological, topographical, and geomorphological intricacies of wetlandscapes further complicate WES assessments. Comparative studies synthesising contrasting wetlandscapes are therefore essential to advancing our understanding of WES and their broader ecological and societal benefits.




The Research Fellow employed by this call will focus on work package 2 of DOWES, that is, "Quantifying the structural role of multiple human stressors on wetlandscape functioning over space and time", to assess the structural role of multiple human stressors on exemplary wetlandscapes functioning over space and time. The main purpose and some of the key duties & responsibilities will be:


To undertake aquatic plant surveys at 40+ wetlands (shallow lakes), taking multiple sediment cores (tops and bottom), analyse geochemical and biological proxies, and contribute to the writing of reports and other scientific outputs based on the findings. Record water chemistry and physical parmeters at selected wetlands (shallow lakes) in the ULE system; Collect sediment cores (surface and basal) from selected wetlands in the ULE system, with the potential for additional fieldwork in the Magdalena River system, Colombia (Optional/subject to cost); Contribute to the writing of reports and scientific publications stemming from this and other associated DOWES work, as appropriate;

This is a full time, fixed term post with funding available to 31 December 2026. The appointment is available to start from 1st July 2025. Funding is available at Grade 7, spine point 31 (including London Allowance).

This role meets the eligibility requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL welcomes applications from international applicants who require a visa.



This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information.



Further details of the department are at https://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/



Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Jorge Salgado (jorge.salgado@ucl.ac.uk).



If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact the department's research administration team: geog.research@ucl.ac.uk

About you

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The successful candidate will have a PhD in a relevant discipline or an MSc in a relevant discipline and substantial relevant work experience/qualifications, be a capable field surveyor and limnologist or paleolimnologist, have experience in conducting fieldwork in wetland ecosystems and experience in writing scientific papers and reports.



Ideally you will also have experience with aquatic plants surveys and plant identification, experience in paleolimnological techniques (geochemical/or biological) and knowledge of literature covering environmental impacts on ecosystem services and wetlandscapes, but this is not essential.

Please see the full job description and person specification at the bottom of this page full more information.

What we offer

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As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:


41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan On-Site nursery On-site gym Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service Discounted medical insurance


Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.



The Department is committed to the values of equality, diversity and inclusion and we have an active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and networks for BME, LGBTQ, and disabled/neurodiverse staff and students. The Department recognises the importance of family-friendly working and we try, as far as possible, to organise meetings and events with staff responsibilities as parents and carers in mind. In 2022, the Department was awarded an Athena SWAN Silver award in recognition of our advancement of gender equality: representation, progression, and success. Above all the Department aims to be a supportive environment for both its staff and students. More information can be found here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/geography/about-ucl-department-geography/equality-diversity-and-inclusion