Project Seagrass was created with the intention of reversing the loss of seagrass by turning research into effective conservation action and communication both directly and through partnerships with communities and other stakeholders. Their journey as an organization has taught us that achieving their mission begins with how we build our team and how they work together. As a dedicated transdisciplinary team, they are passionate about securing a future for seagrass.
About the Role
You will be a key member of the Project Seagrass team responsible for creating, managing, and interrogating a wide variety of physical and biological datasets to develop seagrass habitat maps for areas throughout UK as well as internationally in the longer term. The outputs will inform the design of environmental sampling programs undertaken by our field team in intertidal, nearshore, and offshore areas and will form key components of the technical deliverables required across our programs and projects.
They are particularly keen to hear from innovative individuals with an aptitude for developing and applying novel approaches aimed at standardizing, improving and streamlining spatial data workflows. The role will also offer the opportunity for occasional nearshore and offshore field work.
This post can be based either in South Wales or Edinburgh depending on the candidate.
General Duties:
- Create and maintain metadata for the description and documentation of mapping data (basic curation).
- Process and transform mapping data into standardized formats and produce high quality seagrass habitat maps.
- Quality control of mapping data, data products and metadata, and submission to data publishers (e.g. PANGAEA).
- Carry out field-based mapping activity in collaboration with project/site leads (including drone survey work).
- Collaborate with external spatial data partners and develop new strategies and workflows for Project Seagrass.
- Participate in regular Project Seagrass meetings and as well as those with external partners representing Project Seagrass where appropriate.
- Lead and contribute to the writing of peer reviewed scientific publications.
Requirements
Essential:
- Proficient in the use of mapping software, preferably ArcPro.
- Experience of habitat mapping using either remote or infield tools (drone, sonar, satellite data).
- Experience working with external stakeholders, organizations and partners.
- Strong data management skills, with demonstrated experience in metadata handling, data mining and archiving.
- Knowledge of UK habitats and species particularly those of conservation interest, classification systems and protected/sensitive seabed features.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft 365 applications.
- Good time management and interpersonal skills.
- A minimum of a degree in GIS or an environmental discipline with GIS skills development.
- A minimum of 2 years professional or post-graduate experience in consultancy or research.
- Demonstrable experience in preparing technical and/or research reports.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable:
- Proficiency in processing spatial data (in R, Python, QGIS, or ArcGIS).
- Experience in reviewing and interpreting acoustic data especially side scan sonar and bathymetry data for sampling design and habitat mapping purposes.
- Knowledge of programming (in Python and R) and/or development of web applications (ArcGIS Online).
- Post-graduate qualification(s) in/utilising spatial data.
- Experience in developing and implementing predictive modelling techniques.
- Demonstrable activity in the publication of peer-reviewed research.
- Drone license and demonstrated experience of use (specify flying hours built up, sensors, applications and systems used).
Compensation: £36,000 annually
Application deadline: August 16, 2024
