Research Associate
Cardiff School of Biosciences
The Research Associate will develop a predictive model to forecast/predict elephant movement responses to drastic habitat disturbance using data (satellite, camera trap and survey) collected before, during, and after the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway within a totally protected forest reserve in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. The candidate will spend some time in Sabah, Borneo with the project leader and will visit the study site and carry out some field work.
The main duties and responsibilities will be the following:
- To conduct research in landscape and spatial ecology and contribute to the overall research performance of the School of Biosciences and Cardiff University by the production of measurable outputs including publishing in international academic journals.
- To attend and present at conferences/seminars at international level as required.
- To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
- To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field.
The main qualifications required are:
- Postgraduate degree at PhD level in wildlife biology and ecology
- An established expertise and proven portfolio of research within the following research fields:
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- Wildlife monitoring through camera trapping and satellite tracking; landscape and spatial ecology; modelling
- Knowledge of current status of research in landscape and spatial ecology as well as in conservation biology.
- Proven ability to publish in international journals.
- Proven ability to work without close supervision.
- Knowledge in Bahasa Melayu is desirable.
- Evidence of collaborations with industry and with conservation NGOs
Informal enquiries are welcomed and can be directed, in the first instance, to Professor Benoit Goossens at
[email protected]
The work will involve visiting the study site and carrying out field work in Sabah, Borneo for no longer than 60 days a year.
The position will be part time (17.5 hours per week), and is fixed term until 31 March 2027.
Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum, pro-rata (Grade 6). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.
Date advert posted: Friday, 12 June 2026
Closing date: Friday, 26 June 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