Research Associate in Urban Ecology

University of Glasgow; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 46,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading university located in Glasgow seeks a Research Associate in Urban Ecology to contribute to an NERC funded project focused on city biodiversity. This position involves analyzing ecological data, leading avian studies, and publishing results while collaborating with a team committed to societal impacts through innovative research.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Professional development opportunities

Health and wellbeing support

41 days of leave for full-time staff

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent experience in urban ecology.
• Up-to-date knowledge of urban ecology issues.
• Experience in statistical analyses, especially using R.

Responsibilities

• Conduct statistical analysis of biodiversity data.
• Lead avian tracking studies and data management.
• Publish research findings in scientific journals.

Skills

Statistical analysis of ecological data

Ecological data management

Fieldwork skills

Education

PhD in Ecology or related field

Job description

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Job details

Posted 13 June 2025 Salary Grade 7 £40,497 - £45,413 per annum pro rata End date 27 June 2025 LocationGlasgow Job Type Research and Teaching Reference175153 Expiry 27 June 2025 at 23:45

Job Description

Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution to the NERC funded project ‘Delivering a Climate Resilient City through City-University Partnership: Glasgow as a Living Lab Accelerating Novel Transformation (GALLANT)’ https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/sustainablesolutions/ourprojects/gallant/. This post will be based in Work Package 2 ‘Biodiversity and societal benefits of ‘natural’ urban habitats: Nature-based Solutions in an integrated urban-habitats network’ working with Dr Dominic McCafferty ([e-mail]) and Dr Davide Dominoni ([e-mail])

You will be responsible for the analysis of ecological data for a range of taxa, to assess the biodiversity of open spaces within Glasgow. The successful candidate will be expected to lead analysis of acoustic and biodiversity data. The successful candidate will assist with avian tracking studies and analyse avian habitat use in urban environments. The candidate will be expected to take responsibility for data management and deposit data with the NERC Environmental Data Service. From this work you will be expected to write and publish the work in relevant and high-ranking ecological journals.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Undertake statistical analysis of acoustic and biodiversity data collected to assess biodiversity in open spaces within Glasgow.
• Take a leading role in avian tracking studies and use this data to examine patterns of habitat use within urban environments
• Complete species identification of sampled invertebrates for biodiversity assessment.
• Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, and writing journal articles for publication.
• Manage data effectively and deposit data with the NERC Environmental Data Service and GALLANT datahub.
• Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
• Presentation of work to project partners, at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
• Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the Institute, GALLANT project and the wider community (e.g., conservation partners).
• Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the Institute.
• Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.
• Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
• Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Director of Research Institute.
• Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.
  
  

Knowledge/Qualifications

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Essential:

A1. Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.

A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the field of urban ecology

A3 Knowledge and expertise in the statistical analyses of spatial and ecological data using R or other similar programming languages

Essential:

Skills

C1 Demonstrated ability to catch, ring and tag passerine birds, as demonstrated by the candidate holding a BTO C ringing licence, and relevant special methods endorsements.

C2 Skilled in the analysis of ecological data, including environmental, habitat, biodiversity, citizen science and/or bio-telemetry data

C3 Ability to write up work for publication in leading scientific journals, as demonstrated by previously published research papers

C4 Proven ability to project manage and deliver high quality scientific outputs in a timely and efficient manner

Desirable

D1 Knowledge of urban ecology and nature conservation within city environments

D2 Willingness to lead public-engagement, citizen science and knowledge-exchange activities on urban biodiversity

D3 Ability to collect ecological data through fieldwork or using remote monitoring methods, and undertake species identification in field/laboratory

Experience

Essential:

E1 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience in avian and urban ecology, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher

E2 A track-record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences

E3 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities

E4 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design and analysis of experiments and drafting of papers.

E5 Experience in undertaking independent ecological research

Desirable:

F1 Experience with working in an interdisciplinary research context

F2 Experience in methods of environmental data extraction from range of databases and platforms

F3 Experience undertaking ecological fieldwork or citizen science activities

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Davide Dominoni [e-mail]

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £40,497 - £45,413 per annum pro rata.

This post is part-time 0.5 FTE (17.5 hours per week) and has funding until 31 January 2027.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing Date: 27 June 2025 at 23:45

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Higher Education

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