Principal Scientist Blue Carbon

Government Recruitment Service; Lowestoft; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable scientific research institute in the UK is looking for a Principal Scientist for Blue Carbon systems. This role involves leading interdisciplinary research, providing policy advice to government entities, and overseeing complex projects related to emerging Blue Carbon habitats. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in Blue Carbon systems and a strong ability to engage with various stakeholders in marine policy and management.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in emerging Blue Carbon habitats.
• Expertise in carbon accounting and financing approaches.
• Ability to engage with national and international partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead scientific development and delivery of projects on Blue Carbon.
• Provide advice on Blue Carbon to government entities.
• Identify management measures for emerging Blue Carbon habitats.

Skills

Interdisciplinary research

Blue Carbon systems knowledge

Policy advising

Job description

Cefas is an internationally recognised scientific research institute, an executive agency of the United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), with emphasis on the provision of applied marine advice and evidence. This post offers an exciting opportunity to join Cefas’ Ecosystem Science team, as a Principal scientist for Blue Carbon (BC) systems.

This leadership role will identify priority needs and deliver evidence to UK and overseas governments, supporting decision-making on blue carbon habitat (primarily seabed / intertidal) inventories, impacts, management, protection, conservation, restoration and sustainability. The postholder will contribute their knowledge to national plans for climate action including National Determined Contributions (NDCs); United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the UK’s Green House Gas (GHG) inventory. The postholder will explore trade-offs between BC and nature / biodiversity functions in the marine environment including food provision. They will determine the extent to which protection and recovery initiatives may interact or conflict with sustainable use or management across multiple policy areas.

The postholder will provide pastoral care and leadership for a broad range of Cefas colleagues working on Blue Carbon topics. The postholder will exemplify a systems- approach in BC science through close engagement with biogeochemists, chemists, ecologist, modellers, economists and social scientists across a national and international network of collaborators. The postholder will lead on publications such as high-profile peer reviewed papers, advice and policy briefings, and other communications across the Blue Carbon work area.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Welcome to Cefas (youtube.com)

This is a unique opportunity to build our current knowledge and shape future research plans and strategy in a rapidly developing science and policy area. Working both with the overall Blue Carbon topic lead, and independently, you will apply your significant experience in emerging Blue Carbon habitats and draw on your wider networks to develop and deliver complex interdisciplinary research programmes on ‘emerging’ ecosystems (subtidal sediment mainly but also intertidal and potentially macroalgae).

You will provide Blue Carbon policy advice to Defra across multiple policy areas (Climate, HPMA, Fisheries, Natural Capital, Net Zero) engaging with the Devolved Administrations and government agencies through the UK Blue Carbon Evidence Partnership and other BC fora, in relation to emerging area carbon inventories, impact and management. You will also contribute your knowledge of national plans for climate action (including NDCs); United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the UK’s Green House Gas (GHG) inventory where needed. Understanding of carbon accounting, credits and financing approaches, BC project accreditation criteria and associated evidence needs would be helpful.

Main duties will include:

• Leading the scientific development and delivery of projects, across diverse delivery teams, within the emerging habitats Blue Carbon topic for a range of customers such as Defra, NERC, EU, The Crown Estate and NGOs
• Contributing to delivery at a principal scientist level on large and complex seabed intertidal projects on Blue Carbon, and linking to Natural Capital, biodiversity, and MPA/HPMA work areas.
• Providing advice and responses to Ministerial and Parliamentary questions on the topic of Blue Carbon in emerging habitats (seabed, intertidal, macroalgae) and providing support across the BC topic as needed.
• Identifying the most appropriate management measures for emerging BC habitats, in the context of seeking innovative nature-based solutions to climate change, including considerations of the applicability of international carbon crediting mechanisms and methodologies.
• Shaping development of predictive tools and their applications to support observational evidence interpretation and understanding of human impact on Blue Carbon habitats and management.
• Leading on and support publications such as peer reviewed papers, policy briefings, and other communications across the Blue Carbon work area.
• Actively participating in UK and international forums, e.g. UK Blue Carbon Forum, UK BC Evidence Partnership, ICES working groups on fisheries and benthic impacts; carbon and trawling and special international conference or programme sessions
• Maintaining and expanding a research and advice network, including collaborating with other government agencies (e.g. arms-length bodies) and scientific institutes in the UK and internationally to develop research proposals and provide influence for Cefas.

In addition, Cefas reserves the right to ask staff to take on additional duties and responsibilities which are commensurate with their grade. Management will have a discussion with staff to explain the changes that are to be made. A new job description will be issued if required.