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.
Purpose of the Job
The postholder will support a continuous marine benthic monitoring programme in the extensive network of Manx Marine Nature Reserves (MNRs), contributing to the generation of georeferenced habitat maps, species distribution data and providing evidence‑based advice for the development of MNR management plans and the impacts of marine developments such as wind farms.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
* Provide research support to the planning and implementation of benthic surveys across the MNR network 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.
* Analyse benthic survey images and videos with appropriate image analysis software and maintain a library of survey data and reference habitats and species.
* Assist in analysing benthic survey data to produce georeferenced habitat maps and species distribution data.
* Contribute to the production of reports and scientific outputs for stakeholders on Marine Nature Reserve status and marine impacts, including stakeholder fora, meetings and peer‑reviewed publication.
* Provide support in researching relevant marine conservation issues as appropriate.
* Support the delivery of fisheries work including participation in the annual spring scientific research cruise and cooperative industry research surveys.
* Provide support to student placements and assist in designing student projects relating to Isle of Man conservation science.
* Report on a day‑to‑day basis to the senior post‑doctoral fisheries scientist on the island and weekly to the project lead in Bangor.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
* Participate in performance review and developmental activities.
* Comply with University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and Welsh Language Standards.
* Maintain health, safety and wellbeing of self, staff, students and visitors, complying with all applicable policies, procedures and risk assessments.
* Comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures, and understand the responsibilities of the post.
Person Specification
Qualifications / Training
* Essential: A degree in marine or fisheries science or related area OR equivalent experience.
* Desirable: Postgraduate degree (e.g. Masters, MRes) in marine science or related area.
Experience / Knowledge
* Essential: Experience undertaking field‑work in the marine environment including at‑sea sampling.
* Essential: Experience in mapping and statistical analysis using appropriate software (e.g. R, Matlab, ArcGIS).
* Essential: Experience assimilating quantitative information in written reports.
* Essential: Awareness of techniques and tools for marine benthic monitoring and habitat mapping.
* Desirable: Experience identifying benthic organisms (especially through images and video).
* Desirable: Experience with image analysis software such as BIIGLE or ImageJ.
* Desirable: Experience handling large data sets including images and video.
* Desirable: Ability to produce scientific information and reports to deadlines.
* Desirable: Knowledge of benthic monitoring methodologies and analytical/reporting frameworks.
* Desirable: Experience using R for data handling and analysis.
Skills & Abilities
* Essential: Able to work as part of a team both independently and under direction.
* Essential: 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 vessels, including during less favourable sea conditions.
* Essential: Current clean, valid driving licence to enable travel around the Isle of Man.
* Essential: Ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines.
* Essential: Good analytical skills, ability to analyse numerical data and present results appropriately.
* Desirable: Proven ability to communicate science to a wide range of stakeholders (e.g. political, industry, scientific, fisheries managers).
Other
* Essential: 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, comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. All applicants may apply in English or Welsh and all applications 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 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 subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references. Applicants must provide evidence of the right to work in the UK on the commencement date of the role. If a visa is required, the University will discuss visa options at the time of making the offer of employment. Applicants may also need to apply for an ATAS certificate if required.
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.
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