Department of Plant Sciences

Across the globe, there is an urgent need to restore ecosystems at Transformative landscape scales - protecting what remains intact while regenerating nature within human-modified environments. Achieving this vision demands tools that transcend the limits of traditional field measurements, which, while vital, cannot capture ecological recovery at the necessary spatial and temporal scales. Cutting-edge remote sensing technologies - especially the emerging generation of geospatial foundation models - are reshaping how we plan, implement, and finance nature restoration. This position sits at the heart of that transformation, leveraging data-driven insights to accelerate the recovery of ecosystems worldwide.

The objective of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of ecological restoration activities in supporting the recovery of biodiversity, carbon stocks, and other ecosystem services. This three-year postdoctoral position is well suited to a researcher with strong interests in geospatial foundation modelling (e.g., Tessera) and remote sensing, motivated by a commitment to advancing nature recovery and sustainable land management, whilst recognising the continuing need for responsible production of food and fibre. The successful candidate will join a large, interdisciplinary team of field ecologists, computer scientists, and geospatial analysts working to train foundation models using forest inventory data derived from mature and secondary forests. 

https://www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/research-associate-fixed-term-pd48413