Research Project Support Officer in Marine Conservation Science

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Overview

The School of Ocean Sciences (SOS), located on the Isle of Anglesey, is a multidisciplinary department with a strong history of international research excellence and collaboration. Core research interests include Marine Biodiversity and Conservation; Earth System Sciences, Renewable energy, Fisheries, and Climate Change Science.

The post is part of a fisheries/ conservation team based full-time in the Isle of Man at the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) under the direct supervision of Dr Isobel Bloor, the lead Bangor scientist on the island. The post-holder will contribute to an ongoing project led by Prof Stuart Jenkins providing fisheries science and conservation research and advice to the Isle of Man government.

Purpose of the Job

The postholder will contribute to existing research and survey programmes focussed on the extensive network of Manx Marine Nature Reserves (). This network includes Port Erin Bay MNR which has been closed to mobile gear fishing since 1989 and Ramsey Bay MNR which features a designated Fisheries Management Zone.

A primary focus of the role will be to support the establishment of a continuous marine benthic monitoring programme, employing a range of methods which may include video mapping and benthic sampling.

The postholder will contribute to the generation of georeferenced habitat maps and species distribution data as well as investigating the distribution and ecology of key habitats including seagrass, maerl and Modiolous reefs. The role will also involve providing data and evidence-based advice on impacts of marine developments (e.g. wind farms) to support effective and sustainable marine management. Where appropriate there may be an opportunity for the post-holder to register for a PhD to be undertaken alongside the responsibilities of the role.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide research support to the planning and implementation of benthic surveys across the network of Manx Marine Nature Reserves using the Isle of Man Government's fisheries protection vessel, the Barrule.
• Undertake video and still image towed surveys of a range of subtidal habitats.
• Undertake quality assured analysis of benthic survey images and videos using appropriate image analysis software and maintain and manage a library of survey data and reference habitats/ species.
• Assist in the analysis of benthic survey data to produce georeferenced habitat maps and species distribution data.
• Contribute to the production of reports and other scientific outputs to a range of stakeholders on Marine Nature Reserve status and marine impacts, including through participation in stakeholder fora and meetings, as well as via peer reviewed publication.
• Provide support in researching relevant marine conservation issues as appropriate.
• Contribute support toward researching innovative techniques and technologies that improve the delivery of conservation advice.
• If necessary, assist in the delivery of our fisheries work including participating in the annual spring scientific research cruise and cooperative industry research surveys.
• Provide support to student placements (e.g. undergraduate, MSc and PhD) and assist in designing student projects relating to Isle of Man conservation science, ensuring that they fulfil the need to address knowledge gaps important for DEFA.
• The post-holder will report on a day-to-day basis to the senior post-doctoral fisheries scientist based on the island and weekly or as required to the project lead in Bangor.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University's Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

• A degree in marine or fisheries science or related area OR equivalent experience.
• Postgraduate degree (e.g. Masters, MRes) in marine science or related area.

Experience/Knowledge

• Experience undertaking field-work in the marine environment including at-sea sampling.
• Experience in mapping and statistical analysis using appropriate software (e.g. R, Matlab, ArcGIS).
• Experience assimilating quantitative information in the production of written reports.
• Awareness of techniques and tools for marine benthic monitoring and habitat mapping.
• Experience identifying benthic organisms (especially through images and video).
• Experience of different image analysis software (e.g. BIIGLE, ImageJ).
• Experience in handling large data sets including images and video.
• The ability to produce scientific information/contribute to reports to deadlines.
• Knowledge and understanding of benthic monitoring methodologies and analytical/ reporting frameworks.
• Experience in the use of R to undertake data handling and analysis.

Skills/Abilities

• Able to work as part of a team both independently and under direction.
• Able to pass an ENG1 sea-going medical and Sea Survival course, be physically fit and able to work at sea on a variety of small and large vessels including during potentially less favourable sea conditions.
• A current clean, valid driving licence to enable travel around the Isle of Man at times and to locations when public transport is unavailable.
• Demonstrate the ability to prioritise work load and work to deadlines.
• Demonstrate good analytical skills, ability to analyse numerical data and present results appropriately.
• Proven ability to communicate science to a wide range of stakeholders (e.g. political, industry, scientific, fisheries managers).

Other

• Demonstrate an understanding of the bilingual nature of the institution and area, and the ensuing responsibilities.

General

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.

We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) . If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.

Candidates should also note that they may be required to apply for an ATAS certificate (Academic Approval Technology Scheme) from the Counter-Proliferation and Arms Control Centre of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before being able to apply for a visa -

Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University's Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.