We are looking for a passionate and numerate Post-Doctoral Research Fellow / Senior Research Fellow to investigate changes in biodiversity indicators as part of an EU-funded science-policy project. The appointment to either Research or Senior Research Fellow will be made based on demonstrable experience.
The new EU-funded NEA PANACEA (North East Atlantic project on biodiversity and eutrophication assessment integration and creation of effective measures) project brings together biodiversity datasets (birds, plankton, benthic, food webs) to identify trophic links and drivers of change. This information is crucial for informing biodiversity policy, and NEA PANACEA plays a key role in assessing the state of marine biodiversity at the northern EU level to aid decision-making.
You will be part of an international team of biodiversity researchers who collaborate closely with policy makers to ensure high quality science is used to inform decisions about how to manage marine biodiversity.
You will have a key role in implementing the pelagic habitats work package of a NEA PANACEA. You will analyse plankton biodiversity datasets to identify significant changes in plankton indicators for the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. You will develop biodiversity indicators and explore relationships between plankton indicator change and environmental variables in order to identify drivers of change, and examine links between plankton indicators and other food web indicators (seabirds, benthos, etc). You will ensure that project results are interpreted with respect to policy needs and will lead authorship of key project outputs including protocols for indicator sensitivity detection and methods for attributing drivers of indicator change.
We are looking for a qualified candidate to join the University of Plymouth’s Plankton and Policy Research Team within the Marine Conservation Research Group as a post doc.
You will be passionate about marine conservation and have expertise in marine science, marine ecology, or environmental science. You will have an interest in how science is used as evidence in policy. You will have a growing publication record and a desire to collaborate across the science-policy interface. You will be skilled at using R (or similar) and will have experience analysing large biological datasets, including time-series data. Experience working with plankton and/or biodiversity indicators is a benefit, though not essential.
This is an exciting chance to be part of a progressive and cutting-edge university in a beautiful location, where you can really make a difference to marine conservation!
The University of Plymouth maintains a high profile in international marine conservation and the UoP Marine Conservation Research Group is the largest of its kind in the UK. As part of the University of Plymouth Plankton and Policy Research Team, your work on NEA PANACEA will contribute to the wider Society and the Sea research theme. The Plankton and Policy Research Team plays a key role in delivering biodiversity science into policy in the UK, EU, and internationally, and has a high profile publication and impact track record. In this post you will have the unique opportunity to become a member of the UK and OSPAR level plankton expert groups that deliver robust biodiversity science for use in marine policy.
You should tailor your application towards the Job Description for which you meet the criteria, although the university reserves the right to make an offer at the appropriate level in relation to skills and experience.
For an informal discussion and further details please contact Abigail McQuatters-Gollop by email: Abigail.mcquatters-gollop@plymouth.ac.uk
This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week on a fixed-term basis for 2 years due to funding.
Please note, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the University is currently implementing a number of safety measures as per Government advice therefore the successful applicant may be required to work from home in the first instance.
Flexible working options including job share will be considered.
The University of Plymouth is committed to equality of opportunity, promoting a diverse and inclusive culture, demonstrated through our commitment to the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and as a Stonewall diversity champion. All applications will be judged solely on merit, however, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently under-represented in the workforce, for example black and minority ethnic groups.
University of Plymouth holds a TEF (Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework) Silver by the Office for Students.
Research Fellow Job Description
Senior Research Fellow Job Description