Restoration Forth Research Associate

Heriot-Watt University; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

33 days annual leave (pro rata)

Job summary

Heriot-Watt University and Balanced Horizon are seeking a Restoration Forth Research Associate to coordinate hatchery-based oyster restoration across HWU and the Forth Marine Hatchery. The role is 0.5FTE, fixed for 15 months with potential extension, and part-time pro rata to the combined 50/50 arrangement.

The post holder will integrate academic evidence into hatchery operations, manage shell sourcing, biosecurity, licencing, and larval supply, and evaluate new restoration methods with field

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in Marine Sciences or equivalent.
• Experience in aquatic animal husbandry, biosecurity, aquarium management.
• Data handling using databases, spreadsheets, GIS and statistical packages.
• Strong scientific writing and fluent English.
• Willingness to spend time away from home and engage in fieldwork.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate between Heriot-Watt University and Balanced Horizon to optimise hatchery production using evidence-based practices.
• Sourcing and transporting pre-weathered shells; securing SEPA authorisations.
• Oversee biosecurity and larval supply; liaise with hatcheries.
• Develop nutrient and pond systems for broodstock conditioning and larval production.
• Evaluate spat-on-shell vs conventional hatchery methods through field trials and data analysis.
• Organise community workshops and engage students, interns and volunteers.
• Promote best practices across oyster restoration initiatives in Scotland.

Skills

Data handling & analysis

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Aquatic animal husbandry & biosecurity

Scientific writing & English fluency

Fieldwork mobility & away from home

SCUBA diving qualification

Communication skills

Driving licence

Education

Postgraduate degree in Marine Sciences or equivalent

Tools

GIS

Databases & spreadsheets

Job description

Role Title:Restoration Forth Research Associate

Grade and Salary:Grade 7 - £37,694 - £47,389 per annum (pro rata)

FTE and working pattern:Part time (0.5FTE/ 17.5 hours per week), Fixed term for 15 months which the possibility of extension

Reward and Benefits:33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days (pro rata)

Hybrid Heriot-Watt (0.5FTE) & Balanced Horizon (0.5FTE)

This advert is for the 50% HWU share of the position. The overall position is full-time, and the aligned 50% Balanced Horizon position is filled through the same recruitment process and does not require a separate application

The Restoration Forth Associate role, based across both Heriot-Watt University and Balanced Horizon’s Forth Marine Hatchery, will coordinate between the two institutions to optimise hatchery production by integrating the latest academic evidence into practical hatchery operations, ensuring that production methods remain evidence-based and responsive to emerging research.

The postholder will support oyster restoration by coordinating the sourcing and transport of pre-weathered oyster and scallop shells, securing the necessary authorisations from SEPA and assisting with site licence modifications in collaboration with Lochside Associates. They will liaise with hatcheries to secure larval supply, oversee biosecurity protocols and contribute to the development and refinement of novel pond systems for broodstock conditioning, nutrition, larval production and settlement using international best practices.

A key aspect of the role will be to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of direct setting (spat-on-shell) as a restoration technique by establishing comparative survival baselines against conventional hatchery methods through field trials, monitoring and data analysis.

The postholder will also collaborate closely with MCS and other project partners, including WWF, to organise community production workshops and create opportunities for students, interns and volunteers to develop their skills, contribute to applied research and support restoration activities. Through engagement with wider restoration networks, the role will promote knowledge exchange, consistency and the adoption of best practices across oyster restoration initiatives in Scotland.

Overall, the position will act as a vital link between academic research and applied hatchery operations, translating scientific evidence into practical improvements that enhance hatchery production, strengthen restoration outcomes and build capacity within the sector.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Heriot-Watt University (0.5FTE)

Licensing applications & modifications

• Work with Lochside Associates to modify license sites for spat on shell.
• Apply for permission for experimental units at intertidal sites.
• Licenses & permissions for translocating larvae from EU hatchery.

Broodstock selection & biosecurity

• Liaise with suppliers to choose appropriate biosecure & disease screened broodstock.
• Coordinate with MCS to organise biosecurity events.

Establish comparative monitoring baseline

• Carry out Remote setting trial using purchased larvae.
• Plan any deploy experimental and control units at intertidal site
• Carry out on-going monitoring to estimate survivability and cost-effectiveness at site
• Coordinate with MCS to bring volunteer groups

6-month evaluation at intertidal site

Research optimisation of spat production

• Review broodstock nutrition & conditioning practices
• Review Larval nutrition
• Review setting of larvae

Survey restoration sites for natural spat fall

• Plan dive operations at subtidal sites
• Coordinate with MCS to bring volunteer groups to intertidal sites.

Balanced Horizon (0.5FTE)

Sourcing pre-weathered oyster/scallop shells

• Coordinate with potential shell suppliers.
• Manage purchase and transport of shell.
• Coordinate with SEPA for authorisation.

Broodstock intake & monitoring

• Monitor condition, weight, size of incoming broodstock

Optimise conditions for broodstock

• Monitor broodstock in ponds
• Develop and implement evidence-based nutrition plan

Optimise successful larval production

• Monitor larvae in ponds
• Develop and implement evidence-based nutrition plan

Spat monitoring & evaluation

• Monitor ponds and process
• Implement international advice
• Adapt conditions as needed to optimise spat success

Assist with hatchery long term development

• Investigate & plan nutrition systems for increased capacity
• Investigate & plan settling system for increase capacity
• Investigate & plan long term broodstock management

Both

Organise a community production workshop

• Coordinate with MCS and other project partners
• Organise specialist speakers

Build relationships with oyster hatcheries for larval supply

• Cork, Netherlands, LLB
• Coordinate larval supply and specify translocation protocols
• Work with NS, FHI, etc for import and biosecurity clearance

Network and collaborate

• Network and collaborate with other restoration projects to ensure best practice, consistency and a coordinated effort to restore oysters in Scotland
• Attend and present at relevant international conferences

Contribute to career development of ECRs

• Facilitate opportunities for Heriot-Watt students (projects/volunteering)
• Provide research/ career development opportunities for interns

Review & report on findings

• Consult with UK and international experts (NORA/Native Oyster Network)
• Summarise academic and applied findings
• Publish findings

Education, Qualifications and Experience

Essential Criteria

1. A strong academic record with a Post Graduate degree in Marine Sciences or a similar discipline (PhD or equivalent).
2. Data handling using databases, spreadsheets, GIS and statistical packages.
3. Ability to work well as part of an interdisciplinary team and to show initiative.
4. Experience in aquatic animal husbandry, biosecurity, aquarium management.
5. Meticulous approach to scientific work
6. A high level of competence in SCUBA diving including an appropriate level of diving qualification for compliance with the UK Diving at Work Regulations (CMAS 3*; Dive Master, Dive Leader etc).
7. A full UK driving license or equivalent qualification that would enable driving on UK roads and therefore access to field and laboratory locations.
8. Experience of scientific writing and fluent in English
9. Willingness to spend time working away from home.
10. Good communication and interpersonal skills
11. An enthusiasm for the marine environment and conservation
12. Reasonable fitness level –there will be a need to move equipment or work long hours or at sea in response to tidal cycles that are physically demanding.
13. Willingness to undertake fieldwork and to join near-shore boat work.

Desirable Criteria

1. Experience of work at sea and on the shore
2. Experience of R
3. Experience of marine monitoring
4. A track record of generating outputs from scientific information and research
5. EDI statement

Heriot-WattUniversity is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-WattUniversity values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.