The role will involve coordinating and assisting with field and laboratory based research activities, including scientific diving operations, rocky shore surveys and sample collection, processing and analysis. The role will also involve working across the research group to facilitate scientific activities as needed, such as coordinating teams of postgraduate and undergraduate students, and assisting visiting scientists and postdoctoral researchers.
Duties and responsibilities:
- To undertake marine ecological research using appropriate methods and/or techniques under the guidance of the Principal Investigator.
- To provide assistance and guidance to other staff and/or students as required.
- To contribute to and lead in the production of high-quality research reports and/or publications.
- To plan own day-to-day research activities within the agreed programme and contribute to planning of future research projects.
- To ensure that responsibilities identified within internal processes such as Health and Safety guidelines etc. are robustly met.
- To undertake any other duties relevant to the programme of research. Specifically, undertake laboratory-based work as part of Dan Smale’s FLF research programme.
- To contribute to the administrative tasks within the research team, such as assisting with planning and organising meetings and workshops.
- Undertake adhoc tasks identified as being within the job holder’s capabilities
- To contribute to MBA scientific diving activities as a HSE qualified professional diver, to conduct subtidal ecological surveys.
- To conduct rocky shore surveys and supervise small teams of students/volunteers in the field.
- Support with set-up and maintenance of experimental systems and procedures
Essential skills/qualifications:
- Degree in Marine Biology/Ecology or other related discipline
- HSE Part 4 Commercial Diving qualification (or equivalent)
- Significant experience of conducting cold-water (i.e. drysuit) scientific diving operations, including experience of ecological survey techniques (e.g. quadrat, transects, sample collection, photography)
- Experience and skills in rocky shore survey techniques
- Basic taxonomic skills, including common seaweeds and seaweed-associated fauna
- Experience of processing and analyzing benthic marine ecological samples (e.g. sediment cores, quadrat collections)
- Full UK driving license and willingness to travel to local and regional field sites which may not be accessible via public transport
Desirable skills/qualifications –
- Advanced seaweed/benthic fauna taxonomy skills
- Experience of running and maintaining aquaria systems
- In date HSE diving medical
- Experience of coordinating and leading small teams to conduct field-based sampling
- Experience and skills in analyzing ecological datasets
Salary and benefits
- Salary will be based on experience
- The MBA will contribute 10% of your basic salary into a defined benefits pension scheme. You are required to make a 3% minimum contribution. You can contribute over the 3% minimum and the MBA will match up to a maximum of 5%
- Annual Leave allowance is 30 days plus bank holidays/privilege days (pro-rata if part time)
The Research Assistant will be based at the Marine Biological Association of the UK in Plymouth, but will be expected to travel to meetings, workshops and field locations as needed.
