IMPORTANT: This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders. Other applicants need not apply.
The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), part of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), is the UK’s Centre of Excellence for research in terrestrial and freshwater environmental sciences (www.ceh.ac.uk). Research is carried out by 350 scientists at four sites in the UK.
We are looking for a post-doctoral scientist with proven knowledge of quantitative ecology for a place on our Research Associate training programme to develop skilled UK/EU scientists for the future of European environmental research. This comprehensive 3-year training programme offers you the opportunity to gain specialist and wider skills valuable for your future career whilst working within a team of 30 ecologists researching solutions to pressing environmental challenges.
Main Duties
We are seeking an enthusiastic and innovative scientist to join a research team that uses national and local spatial datasets to develop quantitative and mechanistic approaches to understand and model the impacts of environmental change on biodiversity, ecosystems and the services they provide. You will work on existing projects and develop your own areas of research in collaboration with a broad range of scientists within CEH and externally. Ongoing and upcoming projects include Wessex BESS http://www.brc.ac.uk/wessexbess/, modelling species responses to environmental change, ecological restoration and the ecology of agro-ecosystems.
Skills required upon appointment
The successful candidate will come from an ecological background working on environmental change issues, but must be able to demonstrate strong quantitative and modelling skills.
- You will have a PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
- The ability to construct and undertake complex statistical analyses in R.
- Some experience in manipulating and analysing spatial datasets.
- Experience of applying and manipulating population, community or ecosystem level models.
- You should be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person with good organisational and interpersonal skills.
- You will demonstrate a methodical approach to problem solving.
- You will have excellent attention to detail, numeracy and computer literacy, and a willingness to learn new skills.
- Good written and oral communication skills, evidenced by publications and some talks to scientific audiences
- Good team working skills, flexible research approach and the ability to develop effective internal and external collaborations within the scientific area
- Good organisational and time management skills, with an ability to work independently and to deadlines
Skills you will acquire
- A wider understanding of population and community ecology and their application to solving environmental problems.
- The enhanced ability to write population, community or ecosystem level models in R.
- Advanced statistical skills for analysing and managing large and complex environmental datasets
- Advanced proficiency in GIS for manipulating and mapping ecological data
- Improved experience in presenting results at scientific conferences, scientific papers and developing approaches for knowledge exchange to a variety of stakeholders
- Training and mentoring in how to develop new proposals for funding
- Experience in scientific leadership and project management
Eligibility to apply
To work for CEH, you must be eligible to live and work in the UK without the requirement for a work permit. CEH can only apply for a work permit in cases where there are no suitably qualified or experienced resident workers; otherwise applicants should normally be resident in the UK or a national of the European Union.
Additional Information
This is a full time (37 hours) 3 year fixed term role based in Wallingford, Band 6. To apply and the view the full job description please go to http://www.topcareer.jobs/Vacancy/irc202817_5721.aspx
The closing date for applications is: 16th October 2015
The interview date is scheduled for: 19th November 2015
