Research Associate - Marine food web rewiring

Lancaster University; Bailrigg; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancaster University is seeking a highly motivated marine scientist and/or community ecologist to join the Island-Ocean Research Hub. You will investigate island-ocean connectivity, seabird nutrient run-off, and how nutrients influence food webs and ecosystem services in collaboration with the research team in Lancaster and partner institutions.

Fieldwork will involve remote locations, scuba work, and cross-disciplinary collaboration; preferred candidates will have a PhD and experience in

Qualifications

• PhD in marine science or community ecology.
• Experience of fieldwork and ability to work in remote locations.
• Skills in statistical modelling and data analysis.
• Proven ability to publish scientific papers.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to co-mentoring of PhD students and collaborate with the research team.
• Investigate island-ocean connectivity and seabird nutrient run-off impacts on ecosystems.

Skills

Fieldwork experience

Statistical modelling

Publish scientific papers

Interpersonal skills

Education

PhD in marine science or community ecology

Job description

working will be essential. There will be opportunities to gain experience in co-mentoring of PhD students. You are encouraged to think through their own ideas about the role of seabird nutrients on food web rewiring and how their area of expertise could be applied to this study. You will work closely with Prof Nick Graham on this project, and collaborate with other members of the research team, both in Lancaster and at collaborating institutions.

We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic temperate or warm-water marine scientist and/or community ecologist to join the Island-Ocean Research Hub. This new research hub will investigate island-ocean connectivity and the influence of seabirds and island rewilding on ecosystem structure, function, and benefits to people. You will focus on the role of seabird nutrient run-off, the extent to which those nutrients are integrated into foundation species, and how food web structures are influenced by the nutrient subsidies. Potential study sites will include the inner and southern Seychelles, the Mediterranean Sea and island archipelagos around the UK, and ecosystems to explore include Mangroves, seagrass, coral reefs and kelp. This project is led out of Lancaster University, with a number of collaborating universities and NGOs. Fieldwork for the project will include periods in remote locations, working in small teams, and scuba and snorkel-based work, and experience of such, Preferred candidates will have a PhD in marine science/community ecology, experience of fieldwork, skills in statistical modelling, and a proven ability to publish scientific papers. A proactive and enthusiastic approach and good interpersonal skills are essential.

Lancaster University is a research-intensive university, ranked in the top 10 of UK universities. The Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) is a large and multidisciplinary department, tackling environmental challenges across the natural and social sciences. Within LEC, there is particular strength in high diversity tropical systems, including coral reefs and tropical rainforests. LEC offers a highly collegial and stimulating environment for career development based on departmental values and embedded Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) considerations and actions. We are committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies on an individual basis as well as the Athena SWAN Charter, which recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education and research. Furthermore, we are active and progressive around sustainability, wellbeing and decolonising agendas.