Research Associate - Spatial Modeller and Ecologist

NERC - the Natural Environment Research Council - is the UK’s leading public funder of environmental science.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed spatial analyst with an interest in field ecology who is keen to develop these skills further by joining an active research team based at our Wallingford site. This is a dedicated training post and you must be flexible and willing to learn new skills in a variety of disciplines. The primary roles of this post will be to:

• analyse and model ecological relationships, ecosystem services and natural capital to examine issues such as trade-offs, spill-over and spatial scaling
• manipulate, validate and analyse Earth Observation-derived data and link this to ecological data sets
• provide high level spatial analytical and ecological support for field, laboratory and glasshouse experiments and monitoring
• support and participate in ecological field surveys and experimentation to quantify the response of species, communities and habitats to environmental drivers of change.

The post will be based within the Community & Restoration Ecology Group team based at CEH Wallingford. The focus of the role is on the analysis and modelling of large spatial data sets to understand the role of biodiversity in supporting ecosystem services and its importance to Natural Capital. Specifically this post will support ground-breaking research into the enhancement and optimisation of biodiversity-supported food production services at the field-, farm- and national-scales (so-called ‘ecological intensification’ of agriculture).

You will have a degree (2:1 or above) in a subject relevant to spatial ecology (e.g. biology, ecology, environmental science) and some relevant experience of environmental science, spatial ecology and field ecology.

In addition, a higher degree qualification (e.g. MSc, MRes) is desirable.

Basic skills in the manipulation and analysis of spatial data sets to answer applied ecological research questions are essential.

Experience and understanding of spatial modelling using GIS tools is also required.

The ability to rapidly learn new skills in spatial analysis and field ecology is also essential.

What we offer

NERC offer a public sector pension scheme, 30 days’ annual leave and 10½ days’ public and privilege holidays per annum. NERC has an equal opportunities policy and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. People with disabilities and those from ethnic minorities are currently under represented and their applications are particularly welcomed. Guaranteed interview scheme for applicants with disabilities.

Eligibility 

To work for CEH, you must be eligible to live and work in the UK without the requirement for a work permit. 

How to apply:

Applications are handled by UK SBS; to apply please click here. Applicants who are unable to apply online should contact us by telephone.

Closing date: 23rd April 2018

Interview date: 16th May 2018