Opportunities

Research Project Assistant (Fixed Term)

Cambridge Zero (CZ), together with the Cambridge Peaceshaping & Climate Lab at the Judge Business School, has an opportunity for a Research Project Assistant (Fixed-term, Full-time or Part-time) to support a new research collaboration on Climate Security, working with the Innovation Cell of the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UNDPPA). The project will undertake exploratory research related to the use of AI, and other data science methodologies, in support of the UNDPPA’s mandate. Importantly, this research will seek to employ data derived directly from the UNDPPA’s Geoguard dashboard, as part of any associated research outputs. 
 
The Research Project Assistant will undertake exploratory research into how Geoguard data can be used as the basis of climate or other modelling efforts. This proposed research will directly support the UNDPPA’s work, in particular the provision of enhanced data-driven decision-making in the context of climate resilience and environmental security. Specifically, it will provide exploratory research related to sand and dust storms (SDS), which are growing in frequency and impact and have substantial transboundary effects particularly in regions with a recent history of conflict.  The project will seek to correlate the SDS model recently developed by the IC (together with technical partner Element 84) with other climatic variables to identify causes or precursors and use Geoguarddata to understand what environmental factors lead to SDS.  
 
This role would ideally suit a PhD student looking to take on an additional project over the summer months, or a student who has just completed their PhD, or is nearing completion. 

Pay: £17.81 per hour for current PhD students, or £18.89 per hour for applicants who have completed their PhD

Start date: 19th August 2024 

Duration & Hours: funds are available for approximately 5 weeks at Full Time (37 hours per week), with potential to extend to 8 weeks, subject to confirmation of additional funding. Part Time working will be considered, e.g. for a student wishing to take on this role alongside their PhD. 

Person Specification: 

• Must be current or recent PhD students (graduated from their PhD within the last 12 months). 

• This position is not degree specific, but applicants must have a knowledge of climate change and environmental issues as well as a passion for the subject.  

• Applicants must have strong computational and analytical skills, including the ability to work with and manipulate large datasets, and apply modelling approaches. They must be able to collate, understand and draw conclusions from quantitative and qualitative information.    

• Applicants must have experience with machine learning and/or artificial intelligence methods. 

• [Desirable] Experience with computer vision algorithms or similar would be an advantage. 

• Good written communication skills, able to synthesise evidence from multiple sources and write high quality outputs for a variety of audiences.  

• Good visual presentation skills, experience of working with developing visual resources would be desirable. 

• Competent in standard software packages e.g. Word, Excel, Powerpoint. 

• The successful candidate must, by the start of their employment, have permission to work in the UK. 

Read the full role description   here