Research Ecologist

Details

We are seeking an enthusiastic ecologist with a broad knowledge of Welsh birds and habitats and with the interest and aptitude to get involved in building future research and development projects, alongside the Senior Ecologist (BTO Cymru) and other BTO senior staff.

Role title: Research Ecologist

Organisation: British Trust for Ornithology

Closing Date: 17/02/2021

Role Location: Bangor, Wales

Role Description

Full time, permanent 

£26,100 – £27,903, depending on experience, paid at 90% on starting, rising to 100% over 2 years + 11% employer pension contribution

This is a new, full-time, permanent post based in the BTO Cymru office in Bangor.  We are seeking an enthusiastic ecologist with a broad knowledge of Welsh birds and habitats and with the interest and aptitude to get involved in building future research and development projects, alongside the Senior Ecologist (BTO Cymru) and other BTO senior staff. The BTO team in Wales is small, but with an increasing portfolio of work, and there exists the exciting opportunity for the right postholder to help develop not only this role but also the future of this busy country office.

The role includes research project delivery, developing new projects with existing and new funders, leading on proposals and maintaining excellent client relationships. The postholder will take responsibility for managing some small projects and will have the opportunity to develop project management skills further whilst in the role. The postholder must have strong reviewing, writing and analytical skills, and be prepared to be adaptable and to get involved in a wide range of scientific and development projects, gaining new skills and knowledge on the job where necessary. They should enjoy communicating with a wide range of stakeholders to assess their respective evidence needs, and with a wide range of colleagues to source specific expertise and design work packages to meet those needs. Work themes may include: agri-environment monitoring and evaluation in Wales; bespoke research support to Natural Resources Wales; review work associated with licensing policy change; research and development opportunities around breeding and wintering waders; and development of new, regional, citizen science-based approaches to monitoring. The role will primarily comprise undertaking and developing projects based in Wales, but also other areas of BTO work, dependent upon workloads and the postholder’s specific skills and interests. 

The postholder will be line-managed by the Senior Ecologist responsible for leading on Wales Science (Rachel Taylor) and will also work and/or report to other senior BTO staff for specific aspects of the role, for example the Head of Terrestrial Ecology (Gavin Siriwardena) on agri-environment evaluation and the Associate Director (Country Offices) (Chris Wernham) on strategic research and development areas (such as raptor monitoring). The postholder will not line-manage any staff directly but will at times be responsible for management, support and mentoring/training of staff or volunteers working on the research projects that they manage. The role includes representing the BTO on some external scientific and advisory groups in Wales. 

Closing date for receipt of applications is 12:00 Noon on Wednesday 17th February.

It is anticipated that interviews will be held remotely on Monday 22nd February.

For further information and to apply visit our website: www.bto.org/vacancies  

For an informal chat about the position please contact Rachel Taylor (rachel.taylor@bto.org).