Senior Research Associate – Marine biodiversity and Recovery Dynamics

1000scholars; Bailrigg; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancaster University seeks a motivated marine scientist or community ecologist to join the Island-Ocean Research Hub surveyin island-ocean connectivity and seabird nutrient effects on ecosystems. The role covers mangroves, seagrass, coral reefs, and kelp across sites in the UK and beyond.

Fieldwork includes remote locations, small-team work, and scuba/snorkel activities, with opportunities to co-mentor PhD students and collaborate with partners across Lancaster and collaborating NGOs and

Qualifications

• Field-based marine science expertise relevant to biodiversity-ecosystem function.
• Experience with seabird nutrient inputs and island-ocean connectivity is desirable.
• Ability to work in remote locations and small teams; scuba/snorkel skills beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fieldwork in remote locations as part of Island-Ocean Research Hub.
• Collaborate with Lancaster University and partner institutions on data collection and analysis.
• Co-mentoring of PhD students and dissemination of findings to stakeholders.

Job description

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. This specific position will focus on how biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships and ecosystem recovery potential are influenced by seabird nutrient inputs. 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 working will be essential. There will be opportunities to gain experience in co-mentoring of PhD students. Applicants are encouraged to think through their own ideas about the role of seabird nutrients in biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships and ecosystem recovery potential and how their area of expertise could be applied to this study. The successful applicant 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. An exciting opportunity exists for a marine scientist or community ecologist to contribute to a Royal Society funded project: Harnessing island-ocean connections to support ecosystems and people.

Informal enquiries for issues not covered in the further information to Prof Nick Graham [e-mail]. Such enquiries are not necessary as part of the application and will not inform any decision. Applications without prior enquiry are welcome and will not be disadvantaged.

Please note: unless specified otherwise in the advert, all advertised roles are UK based.

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£39,906 to £46,049 per annum