Research Associate in Ecological Monitoring

Newcastle University

Newcastle upon Tyne, UK 🇬🇧

Requisition ID: 25066

Location: Newcastle, GB

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Working Pattern: Full Time

Posted Date: 02-Feb-2023

Salary: £32,328 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 10 February 2023

The Role

We are seeking to hire a skilled, self-motivated ecological Research Assistant/Associate to join the partnership project LIFE WADER (Water and Disturbance Environmental Restoration on the Northumberland coast). The project aims to improve riverine, intertidal and marine habitats and the species that depend on them.

The role is to lead development of project monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure robust data collection and development of indicator metrics. The successful candidate will be expected to design protocols and monitoring surveys for a range of species and habitats including freshwater, intertidal and sanddunes. 

You will join the Modelling, Evidence and Policy research group at Newcastle University and will work closely with partners from Natural England, Environment Agency and Tweed Forum. The successful candidate will be naturally collaborative and work with partners to collect data to underpin the deliverables of the WADER project. 

You should have a PhD awarded (or nearing completion) in Ecology or Environmental sciences or a closed related discipline and a strong background in data handling and analysis.

The School is entering an exciting phase of development – having just celebrated our fifth anniversary, we’re in the process of developing a long-term vision taking us to 2027 and beyond. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to some really exciting activity happening within the School, Faculty, University and wider Northeast Region.

For more information about the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, and our research, please click here.

We are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment and we would be happy to discuss arrangements for flexible and/or blended working.

The appointment is fixed term, tenable for 14 months in the first instance. 

To apply, please complete an online application and upload a CV and cover letter. Your cover letter is a supporting statement, and you should outline how you meet the essential criteria of the role and evidence this with examples.

For informal queries regarding either the role or the project, please contact Aileen Mill, Professor of Modelling Evidence and Policy (aileen.mill@newcastle.ac.uk).

Key Accountabilities 
•    You will design monitoring protocols and conduct data collection  
•    You will work with staff and students to deliver projects 
•    You will effectively communicate and work alongside project partners
•    You will conduct analysis and synthesis for publication and presentation at conferences and seminars  
The Person  
 
Knowledge, Skills and Experience 
•    Observational and practical skills consistent with the demands of contemporary scientific research  
•    Knowledge and understanding of the main pressures and threats to coastal systems including water quality, invasive species and wildlife disturbance.  
•    Experience of sampling in a range of marine, riverine and coastal habitats.  
•    Ability to design robust field-based data collection.  
•    Organisational skills including experience of field work logistics including preparing risk assessment 
•    Competency in data analysis including proficiency in R. 
•    Scientific writing skills and ability to draft reports and manuscripts for publication

Desirable 
•    Working knowledge of UK site and species designations ( e.g. SAC, SSSI) 
•    Experience of developing indicator metrics for environmental monitoring
•    Experience of working with databases 
•    Experience of supervision of student projects
•    Knowledge of version control 
 
Attributes and Behaviour 
•    Ability to communicate effectively via oral and written media (e.g., technical reports, papers, and presentations) 
•    A desire to work with due attention to the safety of themselves and others 
•    Self-motivation, a determination to succeed and a commitment to high standards 
•    The capacity to undertake original research and work independently  
•    A willingness to engage in research collaborations with project partners 
•    A willingness to take on the day-to-day supervision of undergraduate projects students as necessary 
•    A high standard of written and verbal English  
 
Qualifications 
•    A PhD in a relevant discipline or be on track to complete their PhD within 6 months of the start date 

Newcastle is an inclusive global University community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices.

The University holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. The University is also a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 25066


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

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