Zoological Field Assistant – Iceland

This aims of the project is to examine the interactive effects of competition and environmental change on an Arctic and temperate seabird in Iceland. For further details see the project website: https://www.changing-arctic-ocean.ac.uk/project/lomvia/

The applicant will work for five weeks on two sites in Iceland (Langanes in the NE and Skrudur in the E) and will support the fieldwork of scientists from BAS Cambridge. Work will involve capturing guillemots from ledges with a noose pole whilst self-belayed, ringing and measuring them and equipping them with tracking devices. Birds will then be recaptured a few days later to recover the devices. The postholder will assist with secure management of data, contribute text and images to fieldwork blogs.

The posts will begin on 1 May 2020 and will run for 2.5 to 3 months, of which one will be based in Iceland and the rest will be based at BAS in Cambridge. Full costs of transport, accommodation and food while in Iceland will be met by the project.

Who we are?

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Its skilled science and support staff based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the Polar Regions to advance our understanding of Earth as a sustainable planet. Through its extensive logistic capability and know how BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure help sustain a world leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs. British Antarctic Survey is a component of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). NERC is part of UK Research and Innovation www.ukri.org

We employ experts from many different professions to carry out our Science as well as keep the keep the lights on, feed the research and support teams and keep everyone safe! If you are looking for an opportunity to work with amazing people in amazing places then British Antarctic Survey could be for you. We aim to attract the best people for those jobs.

Purpose

The postholder will work on Project LOMVIA to support collection of field data that will describe the foraging habitat preferences and diets of Brunnich’s and Common Guillemots on Iceland across a steep environmental gradient. The overarching aims are to understand the interactions between competition and environment and how these might influence species responses to climate change. The postholder will be visiting two sites: Langanes in the NE and Skrudur in the E. They will assist the project PDRA with data collection.

The postholder will also participate in fieldwork preparation and data cleaning/processing while based in Cambridge.

Duties

• Capturing guillemots on cliffs using fowling pole using appropriate safety equipment and methods
• Processing birds, including taking biometric measurements, ringing, equipping them with tracking devices (GPS, Time depth recorders), collecting samples of blood.
• Coding and managing data and samples (including already existing data while based in Cambridge).
• Maintaining good working relations with project partners, landowners, wardens, service providers and the general public.

Please quote the following reference for any queries: BAS 20/37
Closing date for receipt of applications form is: 23rd February 2020
Interviews are scheduled to be held on: 2nd March 2020

As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and promoting equality in careers in science, we hold an Athena SWAN Bronze Award and have an active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion programme of activity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. People from ethnic minorities and disabled people are currently under-represented and their applications are particularly welcome.

Antarctic deployment involves working in a remote and harsh environment where adaptations to working, living and recreation areas are not achievable to a level that might be expected in the UK. There is a Genuine Occupational Requirement to be physically capable of negotiating rough, icy and snowy terrain as well as being mentally resilient and medically fit.