Research Technician in Insect Ecology

Are you an early career researcher looking for a challenge?

Do you have a background in insect ecology?

Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research intensive Universities?

This 16-month fixed-term post, which is based in the Sait Laboratory , is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council , and is in collaboration with Swansea University. This post is part of a larger project, “Multigenerational Trophic Responses to Coupled Short- and Long-term Environmental Change”, which is investigating how temperature change impacts on insects and their natural enemies. The project will develop our understanding of how interacting species adapt and respond across multiple generations to changing temperatures. This will help us to understand the impacts of future climate change on ecologically important trophic interactions. The project is fully lab-based, and builds on well-established controlled microcosm experiments to focus on how temperature variation affects the interaction between moths and their parasitic wasps. The project will combine long term population monitoring of the lab microcosms with multiple individual-level experiments. You will work on a day-to-day basis with a postdoctoral research fellow also employed on the project, and the Leeds team will work closely with our colleagues in Swansea.

You should be educated to A level, BTEC or Degree level or equivalent, with particular knowledge in ecology, environmental change or closely related subjects. You should have laboratory experience, and practical experience with insects in ecology, entomology or a related subject (this can include a period in Further or Higher Education).

The University of Leeds and the Faculty of Biological Sciences are committed to providing equal opportunities for all and offer a range of family friendly policies. The University is a charter member of Athena SWAN (the national body that promotes gender equality in higher education), and the Faculty of Biological Sciences was awarded a Silver award in 2020.  We are proud to be an inclusive Faculty that values all staff, and are happy to consider job share applications and requests for flexible working arrangements from our employees. Our Athena SWAN webpage provides more information. 

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Dr. Steve Sait , Principal Investigator, Reader in Ecology

Email: [email protected]  

Location: Leeds - Main Campus

Faculty/Service: Faculty of Biological Sciences

School/Institute: School of Biology

Category: Technical Support

Contract Type: 

Fixed Term (for 15 months, with a latest end date of 31st May 2025 (to complete specific time limited work))

Downloads: Candidate Brief