Nekton’s mission is to protect the ocean, for all our planet’s life and for ourselves - because our existence depends on the ocean’s health.
A UK-registered charity based in Oxford, Nekton completed its first two major expeditions into the deep ocean around Bermuda and West Atlantic in 2016, and in Seychelles in 2019, using the latest submersible and deep-sea technology to carry out baseline assessment of deep reefs. This work continues in the Indian Ocean with the Maldives Deep Ocean Research Expedition that will take place in September 2022, the aim documenting environmental conditions and the biological communities.
The lead partner organisation for the Maldives Deep Ocean Research Expedition is the Maldives Marine Research Institute (MMRI). Our research projects are co-developed and co-produced with partners in the Indian Ocean and provide the scientific data and media content to amplify ocean prioritisation, accelerate ocean literacy and inform and catalyse sustainable marine governance. Through our collaborations, expeditions, technology development, research, broadcast films and high-profile communications and events, we aim to make a difference.
The Role
Nekton is looking for a Research Assistant to join our dynamic team and to help generate scientific data, communicate novel findings and plan future work.
This is an exciting role for someone who enjoys careful analytical thought and documentation as well as someone with an interest in thinking about scientific challenges in a novel way.
The role will also provide assistance to the science team, and will also be required to support expedition logistics when necessary.
Nekton’s success is based on inspiring and leading a multi-disciplinary and energetic team and working with mutually beneficial partnerships. You will be instrumental in that success in delivering scientific research and that will support more sustainable management of the ocean.
Responsibilities
Scientific
- Assist in generation of scientific data, with a specific focus on annotating video surveys
- Manage data records and report summary information for meetings and project updates
- Assist with analysis of data generated
- Assist with drafting text, tables and figures for peer-reviewed publications
- Assist with creation of non-peer reviewed outputs such as species lists
- Assist with project design and communications to non-scientific audiences
Administration
- Provide general administrative support to the science activities when required.
Qualifications
Nekton’s mission is global and audacious. We are looking for an experienced individual with a special blend of meticulous project management and hands-on implementation of complex operational aspects of an international venture. In addition, we are looking for someone with conventional professionalism, able to working leanly with limited resources and someone always being creative in their drive for rapid development. We need a team member who can help us rise to the challenge while remaining grounded, someone able to focus on the detail whilst also understanding the big picture.
We are based in Oxford. A hybrid work model of in-office and remote working is available, allowing for opportunities to work from home for some of the time. Travel to external meetings may be required on occasion.
ESSENTIAL
- Bachelor of Science in marine-related discipline
- Understanding of oceanographic expeditions
- A confident, proactive and independent self-starter
- Highly organised, detail orientated & enjoys problem solving
- Strong English written and oral communication skills
- Good, working knowledge of all MS Offices programmes
- Knowledge of coral reef ecology
- Demonstrable tropical fish and/or benthos ID skills
- Some experience in biodiversity assessment projects
- Working knowledge of marine footage annotation
- Some experience with data analysis
DESIRABLE
- Master of Science in marine-related discipline
- Ability to work independently as part of a larger research group
- Previous participation in marine expeditions / fieldwork
- Previous experience working with scoring and analysing stereo video data
Start date: 1 November 2022
Duration: Fixed term (14 months)
Location: Begbroke Science Park, Oxford; part-time remote working available
Salary: £26,000‒30,000 per annum (dependent on qualifications / experience)
Hours of work: Full time (37.5 hours per week)
