Research Associate

Research Associate

Biosciences/Earth and Environmental Sciences

We are seeking an enthusiastic and innovative Postdoctoral Research Associate to join our vibrant, multidisciplinary team and help deliver a pioneering, industry-focused Nature-based Solutions (NbS) project.

Working closely with leading water industry partners, you will build the evidence base for the effectiveness of NbS approaches and assess their suitability for UK drinking water reservoirs. The project aims to harness natural ecosystem processes, supported by targeted management interventions, to establish resilient, self-regulating biological systems that safeguard water quality now and into the future.

This highly applied role offers the opportunity to generate real-world impact by developing sustainable solutions that enhance climate resilience, protect drinking water sources, promote biodiversity, and reduce reliance on costly engineered interventions.

You will work at the interface of ecology, environmental science and water management, collaborating with academic and industry partners to deliver evidence that informs future reservoir management across the UK.

This position is ideal for a motivated researcher who is passionate about translating cutting-edge science into practical solutions for climate-resilient water systems and healthier, more biodiverse freshwater ecosystems.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: ecological processes underpinning community resilience to environmental change; the use of high-throughput molecular techniques in freshwater, environmental and ecological management; and the analysis, modelling and visualisation of complex and diverse datasets to support stakeholder engagement and decision-making.

Informal enquiries are welcome and can be directed, in the first instance, to Dr Sophie Watson (WatsonS2@cardiff.ac.uk).

The position is full time, 35 hours per week and is available from 1 September 2026. This post is fixed term until 31 August 2027.

Salary: £41,064 – £46,049 per annum (Grade 6). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl. bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It's an exciting and vibrant place to work with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter. Business needs will require some degree of office-based working but the balance of time can be spent in the office or remotely (subject to agreement with the line manager).

Date advert posted: Friday, 18 September 2026

Closing date: Friday, 2 October 2026

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. We especially welcome and encourage applications from those from under-represented groups within the University workforce, such as those who identify as LGBT +, Ethnic Minority or those with disabilities. 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.

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 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