Overview
The School of Ocean Sciences (SOS), located on the Isle of Anglesey, is a multidisciplinary department with a focus on freshwater and marine sciences and a strong history of international research excellence and collaboration. Core research interests include Earth System Sciences, Oceanography, Limnology and Climate Change Science.
The Project
The postholder will contribute to existing research and survey programs focused on Isle of Man fisheries, with a primary emphasis on shellfish species including edible crab, common whelk, European lobster, king scallop and queen scallop. There may also be scope to support work on selected finfish species, such as herring and pollack, where relevant. In addition, the postholder will provide support to novel research initiatives aimed at improving scientific knowledge and informing fisheries management advice across key areas. Activities will include a range of data collection activities engaging directly with fishers and processors in the field, as well as work on our research vessel the Prince Madog, plus support for data analysis and reporting.
Purpose of the Job
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.
The postholder will contribute to existing research and survey programs focused on Isle of Man fisheries, with a primary emphasis on shellfish species including edible crab, common whelk, European lobster, king scallop and queen scallop. There may also be scope to support work on selected finfish species, such as herring and pollack, where relevant. In addition, the postholder will provide support to novel research initiatives aimed at improving scientific knowledge and informing fisheries management advice across key areas.
Activities will include a range of data collection activities engaging directly with fishers and processors in the field, as well as work on our research vessel the Prince Madog, plus support for data analysis and reporting.
Where appropriate there may be an opportunity for the post-holder to register for a Ph.D. to be undertaken alongside the responsibilities of the role.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide research support in collecting the data necessary to undertake stock assessment and implement sustainable management of European lobster, edible crab and common whelk in Isle of Man territorial waters.
- Support the team in other areas of fisheries science on the Isle of Man and wider-Irish Sea, including work on mobile-gear stock assessments (queen scallop, king scallop), ecosystem & conservation science (e.g. monitoring marine nature reserves), and assessing the impacts of marine development on fishery resources (e.g. offshore wind farms).
- Establish working relationships with Isle of Man fishers and processors to facilitate data collection; provide support to ensure efficient functioning of fisheries data collection schemes.
- Undertake at sea or port sampling of shellfish catches across the island.
- Assist in the analysis of fishery dependent and independent data sets using appropriate statistical, mathematical, modelling, graphical or other quantitative techniques.
- Contribute support toward researching innovative techniques and technologies that improve the delivery of fisheries science data and scientific advice.
- Participate in the annual spring scientific research cruise and cooperative industry research surveys as necessary.
- Provide support to student placements (e.g. undergraduate, MSc and PhD) and assist in designing student projects relating to Isle of Man fisheries science, ensuring that they fulfil the need to address knowledge gaps important for DEFA and/or the fishing industry.
- Contribute to the production of reports and other scientific outputs to a range of stakeholders, including through participation in stakeholder fora and meetings, as well as via peer reviewed publication.
- 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.
Qualifications/Training
Essential: Degree in marine or fisheries science or related area OR equivalent experience.
Desirable: Postgraduate degree in marine or fisheries science or related area.
Experience/Knowledge
Essential:
- Experience undertaking field-work in the marine environment including at sea sampling Experience of working with stakeholders outside of the academic environment Experience in statistical analysis and mapping using appropriate software (e.g. R, Matlab, ArcGIS).
- Experience assimilating quantitative information in the production of written reports.
- Awareness of techniques and tools for fisheries-independent and fisheries-dependent data collection and analysis.
Desirable:
- Experience in handling large data sets.
- The ability to produce scientific reports to deadlines.
- Experience of working with baited-pot fisheries or crustaceans/mollusks.
- Experience in the use of R to undertake data handling and analysis.
- Understanding of basic fisheries statistics and fisheries stock assessment methods.
- Experience of EU Vessel Monitoring System and logbook data for spatial fisheries monitoring and analysis.
Skills/Abilities
Essential:
- 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 favorable sea conditions.
- A current clean, valid driving license to enable travel around the Isle of Man at times and to locations when public transport is unavailable.
- Demonstrate the ability to prioritize work load and work to deadlines.
- Demonstrate good analytical skills, ability to analyze 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).
- Demonstrate an understanding of the bilingual nature of Bangor University.
Salary: £30,805 – £37,174 p.a. (Grade 6)
Application deadline: October 3, 2025
