Topos Institute
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Postdoctoral Researcher in Declarative Scientific Modelling for Ecological Systems Topos Institute in United Kingdom
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Full-time salaried postdoctoral position with salary £47,665–52,430; duration 2 years with possible extension for a further 2 years pending grant approval.
Deadline
Jan 21, 2027
Country
United Kingdom
University
Topos Institute
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About this position
Topos Institute is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join its Oxford-based team on declarative scientific modelling for ecological systems, building on the institute’s work around CatColab. The project aims to create a coherent, reusable framework for integrating modelling paradigms across biological scales so that ecological interventions can be examined through formal, collaborative “what if?” models.
The role sits within Topos’s broader mission of combining foundational mathematics, open-source software engineering, and close collaboration with domain specialists to support collective inquiry on complex societal challenges. In this project, the successful candidate will work on approaches that help lab-science teams build, inspect, and query models collaboratively, while also engaging with ecologists and contributing to software capabilities alongside Topos’s development team.
The modelling landscape for the project is intentionally broad, spanning Bayesian belief networks, stock-flow diagrams, and systems of differential equations. The work is framed by categorical approaches to modelling and by the need to support decision-making around ecosystem resilience and ecological interventions. The position is based in Topos’s Oxford office and involves working closely with other researchers and software engineers in an in-person, collaborative environment.
The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to fundamental research, participatory model building, prototyping research ideas into software, and dissemination through academic publishing, talks, and other media. The institute emphasises an ambitious, interdisciplinary research culture, with strong links between theory, software, and engagement with external collaborators.
Funding details
Full-time salaried postdoctoral position with salary £47,665–52,430; duration 2 years with possible extension for a further 2 years pending grant approval.
What's required
Applicants should have, or soon have, a PhD in mathematics or an adjacent field such as computer science or statistics, with a focus in at least one of category theory, categorical statistics, probabilistic graphical models, systems dynamics, decision analysis, or ecological modelling. Significant contributions to the field may substitute for a PhD in some cases, and relevant industry experience may substitute for a publication record. The role is suitable for candidates who can work across disciplines, communicate with domain experts, and contribute through both academic papers and other outputs. Experience with scientific computing is a bonus, and experience with Rust, Julia, or TypeScript software development is also a bonus. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; visa sponsorship may be considered.
How to apply
Email [email protected] with subject line “UK-2026-Eco”. Attach your CV and a cover letter including the contact details for two references. Include any visa requirements in your cover letter if applicable.
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.