Research Associate - Marine Behavioural Ecology Group

We are seeking a highly motivated computational researcher for a six-month project in the Marine Behavioural Ecology Group (MBEG), in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge. The project will investigate how individual movement, predator-prey interactions and social interactions shape fish behaviour, using trajectory data and simulation-based approaches.

Fish trajectories provide a detailed record of how individuals move and interact, but extracting the behavioural rules underlying those patterns requires careful data processing and quantitative analysis. You will develop and apply reproducible workflows for trajectory reconstruction, quality control, temporal alignment and the extraction of kinematic and spatial measures. You will use these data to analyse individual and group movement, predator-prey interactions, and develop agent-based and evolutionary simulations to test how behavioural rules and selection processes could generate the patterns observed.

This is an opportunity to work at the interface of computational modelling and behavioural ecology. You will exercise technical judgement in selecting and developing analytical methods, and contribute to interpreting and presenting results through research outputs and reports. The work will involve close collaboration with the Principal Investigator and other members of MBEG, while requiring independence in managing and progressing your computational research.

The postholder will join a collaborative research group studying animal movement, collective behaviour and predator-prey interactions. They may also contribute to research discussions and seminars, and support student research or skills development where appropriate.

For more information, please refer to the Further Particulars document.

Fixed-term:
The funds for this post are available for 6 months commencing on 1 February 2027. An extension may be possible, subject to the availability of funding.

The interview for this role is expected to take place during the week commencing Monday, 16 November 2026 (subject to change) and may be conducted remotely in exceptional circumstances.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

Flexible working requests will be considered.

For informal enquiries about the role, please contact Professor James Herbert-Read [email: ].

For any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Zoology HR Office [email: ]

Please quote reference PF51528 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.