Farmland Research Manager

Overview

This permanent, full-time post, will work within the Terrestrial Ecology Team, reporting to Head of Terrestrial Ecology, Dr Gavin Siriwardena. The team’s work includes pure and applied research into terrestrial ecology, considering birds and other taxa. The team has particular expertise in farmland, woodland and urban ecology, working across the UK with the BTO’s volunteer-collected datasets, bespoke volunteer surveys and professional fieldwork. Recent research projects have included work on agri-environment scheme design and effects on birds and other taxa, analyses of Garden Bird Watch data, surveys of breeding waders of wet meadows and modelling of the effects of land-use change on bird populations. Much of this work is funded by and provides advice to government, contributing to national conservation policy, and is published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.

The post-holder will be responsible, working with others in the team, for managing farmland-focused field survey, review and analytical projects, including line management of professional fieldworkers. Depending on skills and experience, and the needs of individual projects, the post will include proposal-writing, scientific reporting, literature review, data analysis/modelling and field surveys, but the main focus of the role is to manage research project work. This includes new and future, short-term projects that offer opportunities for leading roles, as well as contributing to existing/ongoing work, such as major professional farmland monitoring programmes in Wales and Northern Ireland. Most of these projects will be related to the monitoring and evaluation of agri-environment and land management schemes across the UK.

The successful applicant will need to have a PhD or MSc in ecology or other related area, or equivalent experience.

You can read the full role description by clicking on the role description under ‘supporting documents’ in the job details on our careers page. Please contact us if you are not sure if you meet all the criteria for the role and would like to discuss the role in more detail.

This position is based at our HQ in Thetford, Norfolk, although you will be able to work from home part of the time on a hybrid working regim and flexible start and finish times can also be accommodated to ensure a good work-life balance.

WHAT WE OFFER

£32,640 per annum
Annual leave entitlement on starting is 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata if part time).
Paid ‘journey days’ (up to 2 days) to staff who travel on holiday by land or sea instead of flying.
Life assurance (four times salary)
11% employer pension contribution
Employee Assistance Programme offering help and advice to staff and their families on matters related to bereavement, wellbeing, finances, relationships, family and more. This includes a number of free counselling sessions if they are needed.
Enhanced sick pay
Enhanced Family leave- Maternity, Adoption, and Shared Parental Leave, 12 weeks at full pay. Paternity and Partner leave, 4 weeks at full pay.
Retail discounts
Cycling friendly employer- gold accredited
Cycle to work scheme- spread the cost of purchasing a new bike and save money
Discounts on: BTO books, Bird care from Vine House Farm  (10% discount on orders placed on the website) and Opticron (30% off)
Free access to BTO training courses
Flexible working- A combination of home and office working and flexible start and finish times (where this meets business needs)
Free eye tests and a contribution of £49 towards prescription glasses for VDU use only.
Free car parking
Effective job evaluation policy that recognises where staff increase their level of responsibility over time
Coaching and mentoring scheme
Staff groups and forums- First Aiders and mental health first aiders, Coaching and mentoring, Diversity working, Sustainability and Natural Working, Becoming Inclusive, and our staff group creating a positive and welcoming culture to work in.
Commitment to creating an inclusive environment
Commitment to sustainability

Closing date for receipt of applications is 23:59 on Sunday 5th January and Interviews will be held in Thetford in the week commencing 13th January. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

If you have a disability or long-term illness that otherwise prevents you from meeting any of the essential criteria, please contact us to discuss whether a reasonable adjustment could be made.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the vacancy.

We recognise that candidates from minority ethnic groups are under-represented in our organisation, and that there are often additional barriers present for people from these groups when applying for roles in the charity sector and beyond. We are committed to taking positive action to expand the diversity of our staff team, and if you meet the essential criteria for a role and are from a minority ethnic background, you’ll be guaranteed a first stage interview.