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Research Fellow, School of Biological Sciences

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
United Kingdom
Closing date
Sep 19, 2016

Job Details

JOB PURPOSE:

Responsible for undertaking a large scale field based drought experiment across the breadth of Ireland. The role will focus on implementing a large scale drought perturbation in grassland production systems to quantify resilience at multiple scales. This position would suit someone with strong empirical skills, a background of experimental work in agricultural systems, botanic expertise, and strong statistical understanding and competency.

MAJOR DUTIES:

  • Develop and plan an area of personal research and expertise, and/or undertake research under supervision within a specific research project or as a member of a research team.
  • Design, develop and refine analytical methods, field research or experiments in order to obtain reliable data.
  • Carry out analyses, critical evaluations, and interpretations using methodologies and other techniques appropriate to area of research.
  • Present regular progress reports on research to members of the research group or to external audiences to disseminate and publicise research findings.
  • Prepare, in consultation with the project team, material for publication in national and international journals and presentations at international conferences.
  • Assist other project members in the preparation of funding proposals and applications to external bodies.
  • Carry out routine administrative tasks associated with the research project/s to ensure that project/s are completed on time and within budget. These might include organisation of project meetings and documentation, financial control, risk assessment of research activities.
  • Carry out occasional undergraduate supervision, demonstrating or lecturing duties within the post holder’s area of expertise and under the direct guidance of a member of academic staff.
  • Read academic papers, journals and textbooks to keep abreast of developments in own specialism and related disciplines.
  • We be required to travel across the Island of Ireland to set up and monitor experimental field sites.


Planning and Organising:

  • Plan for specific aspects of the project. Timescales range from 1-6 months in advance and contribute to research group planning.
  • Plan for the use of research resources, laboratories and workshops where appropriate.
  • Plan own day-to day activity within framework of the agreed research programme.
  • Plan up to a year in advance to meet deadlines for journal publications and to prepare presentations and papers for conferences.
  • Coordinate and liaise with other members of the project over work progress.


Resource Management Responsibilities:

  • Ensure research resources are used in an effective and efficient manner. Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with research.


Internal and External Relationships:

  • Liaise on a regular basis with colleagues and students.
  • Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration.
  • Join external networks to share information and ideas.
  • Contribute to the School’s outreach programme by establishing links with local community groups, industries etc.


ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

  • Have or be about to obtain a PhD in biology/ecology.
  • Full driving license or ability to meet the mobility requirements of the post.
  • At least three years relevant research experience (PhD or postdoc) in the areas of ecology, zoology, or botany (or other relevant research domain).
  • Demonstrated experience undertaking field based experiments or surveys.
  • Experience of experimental design and statistical analysis.
  • Ability to contribute to broader management and administrative processes where appropriate.
  • Ability to plan and undertake fieldwork experimentation.
  • Knowledge of modelling and statistical analyses.
  • Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
  • Ability to build contacts and participate in internal and external networks.
  • Demonstrable intellectual ability and scientific curiosity.
  • Ability to assess and organise resources, solve logistical problems.
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision.
  • Must be prepared to travel across the island of Ireland to undertake field work.

 


DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

  • Published papers demonstrating numerical expertise.
  • Experience of field experiments.
  • Knowledge of the ecosystem resilience/stability literature, macorecology and landscape ecology.
  • Experience in giving research talks internally and externally.
  • Botanical identification skills, including R and GIS.
  • Interest in agroecology and conservation.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This post will work with a team of researchers from UCD, Queen’s University Belfast and the National Biodiversity Data Centres. At UCD and QUB, three academics and three PD researcher scientists will be involved. The team will study the resilience of grassland production systems and their capacity to resist, recover and adapt to future environmental change, whilst sustainably producing food for a growing global population. The team will quantify the effects of extreme climatic perturbations of relevance in Ireland across a hierarchy of spatial scales, from plots in fields, using experimentally imposed droughts, to national landscapes using remotely sensed satellite data. This post will be directly responsible for undertaking a large scale field based drought experiment across the breadth of Ireland. The role for this position will focus on implementing a large scale drought perturbation in grassland production systems to quantify resilience at multiple scales.

This position would suit someone with strong empirical skills, a background of experimental work in agricultural systems, botanic expertise, and strong statistical understanding and competency. The successful applicant must be prepared to travel across the island of Ireland to undertake field work. This is a research focused role, successful candidates will conduct a specified programme of research supported by research training and development under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator. The primary purpose of the role is to further develop your research skills and competences, including the processes of publication in peer-reviewed academic publications, the development of funding proposals, and the mentorship of graduate students along with the opportunity to develop your skills in research led teaching.

 

 

 

 

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