Research Associate (Ecological Modelling)

Job title:

Research Associate (Ecological Modelling)

Company

University of York

Job description

DepartmentThe at the University of York is ranked 25th in the world and 5th in the UK in the QS rankings. Our vibrant, diverse and international community consists of over 100 staff and about 600 students. We carry out international, impact-oriented and interdisciplinary teaching and research of the highest quality through our strong network of partnerships. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our and we promote a collegial environment in which staff and students feel supported and empowered to achieve their full potential. We are proud of our Athena Swan Silver Award and strive to provide a working environment which facilitates wellbeing and allows all staff and students to contribute fully, flourish, and excel. We aim for a .RoleThis position is part of the UKRI-funded interdisciplinary project , led by David Orton in the Department of Archaeology. The Research Associate in Mathematical Modelling will work with colleagues in Archaeology, Biology, and History to help investigate the history of black and brown rats in Europe, aiming to understand rats’ association with human settlement and communications and their role in disease.This position will be focused on modelling rat population dynamics across dynamic networks of urban settlements representing historic Europe, informed by rat life history, zooarchaeological data on rodent presence, settlement types and climate, stable isotope data characterizing rat resources, and archaeogenetics assessing population histories and connectivity across time and space. The models will be based on existing patch-based, differential equations for rodent dynamics in response to pulsed resources. The Research Associate will bring models and data together to (1) explore how settlement form, trade, climate, and disease interacted to determine viability of past European rat populations, (2) explore different scenarios of economic and settlement change and (3) understand rat population stability and turnover with respect to plague.In collaboration with other members of the RATTUS team, the Research Associate will disseminate findings at conferences and submit manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals. The Research Associate will have the opportunity to contribute to supervising undergraduate and postgraduate projects.More information about the RATTUS project can be found here: https://sites.google.com/york.ac.uk/rattus/This role is fixed term for 2 years.Skills, Experience & Qualification neededPhD in a discipline with a strong mathematical background, or equivalent experienceKnowledge and experience of population and spatial modelling methods, including ordinary differential equations, meta-populations and landscape/spatial modelsExperience, or willingness to gain experience, working with people and datasets across disciplinesHighly developed communication skills to engage effectively with a wide ranging audience, both orally and in writing, using a range of mediaAbility to write up research work for publication in high profile journals and engage in public disseminationInterview date: 14th July 2025For informal enquiries: please contact Pen Holland at pen.holland@york.ac.ukThe University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff.

Expected salary

£37174 – 39355 per year

Location

York

Job date

Sat, 10 May 2025 01:15:39 GMT

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