Research Associate

The University of Leicester is seeking to recruit a full-time Research Associate for the UKRI-funded project “Self-Learning Digital Twins for Sustainable Land Management” as part of a large team. The project will deliver intelligent AI solutions to support reducing UK greenhouse gas emissions from ruminant agriculture and degraded peatlands. The project output is an AI driven digital twin that will learn from Earth Observation data, eddy covariance and other data streams, integrate socio-economic trends and attitudes using machine learning models, hybridising physical modelling and ingesting AI driven insights derived from real world data. The project outcome is informing strategic decision and policy making for these two high Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emitting land use systems.

This role will focus on collecting, analysing and modelling data from agriculturally used peatlands in the UK, with a view to integrate them into a self-learning digital twin. A key part of the role is also to closely support the development of the AI tools through provision of subject matter expertise on the environment.

The post holder will be working at the cutting edge of net zero research and have the opportunity to contribute to the international effort to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 or sooner.

About you

We are seeking candidates with expertise in modelling or monitoring environmental systems, ideally peatlands, excellent software and data management skills, knowledge of earth observation and environmental datasets, an understanding of the principles of applications of AI, and the ability to write high-quality academic journal publications.

Additional information

For informal enquiries Professor Heiko Balzter: [email protected] .
We anticipate that interviews will take place late July 2023.
As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found here .
The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change , which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.
As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.
We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.