Research Fellow in Modelled Forest-Climate Interactions, Leeds

This role will be based on the university campus with scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner. We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

The position offers an exciting opportunity to transform our understanding of tropical forests in the climate system and deliver science that will directly impact international land‑use policy. You will build a pan‑tropical research network, co‑develop methods with project partners to develop the UK Earth System Model (UKESM), apply process‑based evaluation tools to global and regional convection‑permitting simulations, and deliver updated regional climate projections based on the improved UKESM and bespoke land‑use scenarios. Your work will directly inform international policies on how future land use can support climate resilience.

• Identify how tropical forests contribute to climate change adaptation.
• Build and manage a pan‑tropical research network.
• Co‑develop methods with project partners for the UKESM.
• Apply process‑based evaluation tools to global and regional convection‑permitting simulations.
• Produce the first detailed evaluation of forest‑climate interactions.
• Deliver updated regional climate projections based on the improved UKESM and bespoke land‑use scenarios.

• Relevant PhD (or close to obtaining) in Climate or Environmental Science.
• Expertise in an area of Climate or Environmental Science.
• Experience collaborating with a wide range of tropical forest stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to publication of original results at an international level.

• Generous opportunities to travel.
• Work alongside international experts in the field.
• Participation in international climate change conferences.
• Highly specialised training to grow technical research skills.
• Excellent springboard for a thriving research career.

Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first‑time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information please visit:

For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information please visit:

Dr Jess Baker, Associate Professor

Email: (Please include the reference 'CRAFTPDRA' in the subject line)