Research Fellow – Ecological data analysis

Job title:

Research Fellow – Ecological data analysis

Company:

University College London

Job description

About usBiosciences is one of the world’s foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences and one of the largest Divisions within UCL, undertaking a significant amount of research and teaching. The Division has a diverse portfolio addressing all areas of biology from protein interactions to cell function, organism development, genetics, population studies and the environment. Computational modelling approaches are frequently used alongside experimental research programmes and much of our research crosses traditional boundaries, including the relationship of biodiversity to the health of the planet. Activity is underpinned by high calibre science technology platforms and state of the art equipment. Educational activity includes a range of undergraduate programmes, an expanding number of Masters Programmes and a substantial number of postgraduate research students.Airborne environmental DNA provides a unique snapshot of aboveground biodiversity across taxonomic groups (from microorganisms to vertebrates), allowing the measurement of ecosystem functional resilience and ecosystem service provision. This post represents an exciting opportunity to join an interdisciplinary team of researchers from UCL, Nature Metrics and the Bat Conservation Trust on an Innovate UK-funded project. The team will innovate new technology for biomonitoring of bat populations using environmental DNA isolated from the air and develop the knowledge base to commercialise this as a service. The research fellow will primarily be based at the People and Nature Lab on the new UCL East campus. The People and Nature Lab is a collaborative group of researchers addressing the intersection between biodiversity, technology, the built environment and society to create new ways for societies and nature to sustainably coexist.About the roleThe main purpose of this position is to lead the data processing and statistical analysis on an Innovate UK-funded project innovating new technologies for the detection of terrestrial biodiversity using environmental DNA isolated from the air. Our aim is to investigate the use of air sampling for detecting the presence and seasonal activity of UK bat populations within roosts. The primary focus of this post will be to conduct the statistical analysis on data obtained from airborne eDNA sampling of roosts. Key issues will be to determine the dispersion of DNA away from the roosts into the surrounding habitat, analyse eDNA signals of seasonal occupancy of roosts, and the degradation of airborne eDNA after roosts have been vacated. Because the focus is on the statistical analysis of ecological data, we welcome applications from those with expertise in modelling species presence/absence using other data sources (e.g. camera traps), and experience with eDNA data is desirable but not essential.This is an open-ended role funded from 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2026. Due to the timing of the project, these dates cannot be altered.Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD Thesis.This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit for more information.Interviews will take place in late October 2024.A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.If you have any queries about the role, please contact Dr Joanne Littlefair at j.littlefair@ucl.ac.uk. If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact Biosciences staffing at biosciences.staffing@ucl.ac.uk.

About youAlthough a PhD qualification is stated as essential, if you have significant expertise in implementing the appropriate statistical models and have the ability to lead on this aspect of the work but do not hold a PhD, we definitely want to hear from you! Fieldwork, lab work and initial bioinformatics will primarily be led by the industry partner Nature Metrics, therefore although experience with eDNA handling and data is desirable, it is not essential.The postholder will be expected to support several UK-based field trips to gather airborne eDNA samples as part of a team, and so a driving license is desirable, but we will consider applicants without.
The postholder will lead on statistical analysis of airborne eDNA data once it has been processed, e.g. hierarchical, spatial-temporal and occupancy models. Demonstrable expertise implementing and troubleshooting these in R is therefore critical to the role. The ability to keep meticulous records of well-annotated computer code and data documentation is crucial to the smooth running of this project. The postholder will also be expected to play a significant role in writing the resulting publication(s) and reports, and leading on the project management of the academic contribution. They may undertake other duties associated with statistical analysis in mutual agreement with the team. They will join a team spanning academics and NGO and industry partners, therefore excellent communication skills with external stakeholders and end-users are required to deliver the successful project.There will be exciting opportunities to work with external partners and develop a network in this innovative research area and take advantage of the significant career development opportunities that the wider team and UCL offer. Please read the person specification carefully when formulating your application.What we offerAs well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan and expenses
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit to find out more.Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and InclusionAs London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.Our Division holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here:Available documents

Expected salary

Location

North West London

Job date

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 06:20:24 GMT

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