RESEARCH ASSISTANT – SEAGRASS RESTORATION Jobs at Swansea University in United Kingdom

Closing Date

03-02-2022

Salary: £30,497 to £34,304 per annum together with USS pension benefits

Hours of work: 35 hours per week

Contract: Fixed term from September 2021 – June 2022

Location: This position will be based at the Singleton/Bay Campus

Seagrass Ocean Rescue as a research and conservation collaboration between Swansea University, WWF and Project Seagrass that seeks to facilitate, inspire and act to restore 3000 hectares of seagrass by 2030. This builds on recent successful projects in Dale in West Wales and is currently working to improve seagrass restoration methods for upscaling and to understand the applicability of seagrass sites for future restoration.

We have an under-representation of women in the area of research and would particularly welcome applications from women for this position. We also have an under representation of individuals from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds and would encourage applications from these groups. Appointments will always be made on merit.

Main Purpose of Post:

1. Provide scientific leadership to seagrass aquaria operations.
2. Lead mechanised seagrass restoration operations for Seagrass Ocean Rescue.
3. Prepare scientific reports and papers as outputs from Seagrass Ocean Rescue.
4. Provide support towards Seagrass Ocean Rescue team motivation.
5. Pro-actively contribute to and conduct research, including gather, prepare and analyse data and present results, exhibiting a degree of independence in terms of specifying the focus and direction of that research.
6. Prepare reports, draft patents and papers describing the results of the research, both confidential and for publication. The appointee is expected to be actively engaged in the writing and publishing of research papers, particularly those intended for publication in refereed (eg international) journals or comparable as a normal part of their role.
7. Be self-motivated, apply and use their initiative, aiming to determine suitable ways to tackle challenges and seeking guidance when needed.
8. Use creativity to analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes.
9. Interact positively and professionally with other collaborators and partners within the College, elsewhere in the University and beyond both in industry/commerce and academia.
10. Contribute pro-actively to the development of external funding applications to support their own work, that of others and the College and the Institution in general. The appointee will be expected as a normal part of their work to be actively engaged in writing, or contributing to writing such applications.
11. Contribute to College organisational matters in order to help it run smoothly and to help raise its external research profile.
12. Keep informed of developments in the field in both technical and specific terms and the wider subject area and the implication for commercial applications and the knowledge economy or academia.
13. When requested act as a representative or member of committees, using the opportunity to extend their own professional experience.
14. Demonstrate and evidence own professional development, identifying development needs with reference to Vitae Researcher Development Framework particularly with regard to probation, performance reviews, and participation in training events.
15. Maintain and enhance links with the professional institutions and other related bodies.
16. Observe best-practice protocols in maintenance and retention of research records as indicated by HEI and Research Councils records management guidance. This includes ensuring project log-book records are deposited with the University/Principal Investigator on completion of the work.
17. To promote equality and diversity in working practices and maintain positive working relationships.

Person Specification:

Essential criteria:

1. An MSc in marine protection
2. Experience of working with seagrass in a UK and international context.
3. Experience of working with marine science volunteers.
4. Evidence of active engagement, personal role, and contribution to writing and publishing research papers, such as guidelines and reports,
5. Evidence of the capacity for active engagement in designing research and writing, or contributing to writing, applications for external research funding.
6. Ability to demonstrate significant independence of focus and direction in research – determining ’what, why, when and with whom’ to progress work.
7. Experience of UK scientific diving together with a CMAS 3* qualification, ideally HSE Scuba.
8. Experience of professional boat driving with an RYA commercially endorsed powerboat qualification.
9. An interest in
10. A commitment to continuous professional development