Zooplankton Ecologist

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Aberdeen, Scotland, AB11 9DB

About the job

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in monitoring and environmental assessment of the zooplankton community in Scottish coastal waters.

Working as part of the Scottish Coastal Observatory (SCObs) monitoring programme your work will generate the zooplankton data and evidence that feeds in the Scottish Government’s statutory reporting and assessment obligations for the pelagic habitat and inform policy decisions for the sustainable use of Scotland’s pelagic marine ecosystems. This dataset will also be used to identify the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss.

The successful candidate’s main role will be to perform taxonomic analysis of zooplankton samples from the Scottish Coastal Observatory (SCObs) zooplankton surveys at Stonehaven and Loch Ewe. This post will also work towards developing methodologies to generate zooplankton size spectra datasets using FlowCAM technologies, participate in field sampling, analyse SCObs time series data to support statutory reporting, and participate in the UK Pelagics Habitat Working Group to develop tools for statutory plankton reporting and assessment.

The successful candidate will have experience working in a laboratory environment with extensive experience analysing plankton samples working within quality standards. The successful candidate will also have strong planning and organisational skills that they can apply to the preparation for collection of field zooplankton samples; the processing of collected field zooplankton samples; and the lab based analysis of zooplankton samples. They will have excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to build working relationships with colleagues. They will be effective communicators and have experience analysing plankton datasets, using a variety of IT systems, to produce written reports.

Job description

• Taxonomic analysis of zooplankton samples collected as part of the Scottish Coastal Observatory
• Organisation of field/sampling kit and liaison with Scottish Coastal Observatory collectors
• Participation in field trips of MRV Temora to collect samples from the SCObs monitoring site at Stonehaven
• Database and quality control management
• Data analysis and contribution to publications and outputs as appropriate
• Expert support to the UK Pelagic Habitats Working Group for statutory zooplankton reporting and assessment
• International collaboration with external groups such as ICES and OSPAR

Person specification

Post graduate degree in a scientific subject with extensive experience identifying plankton in a laboratory setting adhering to quality standards.

Essential Criteria

1. Experience of working in a laboratory environment, working with documented laboratory protocols with extensive experience identifying plankton adhering to quality standards.

2. Strong planning and organisational skills including the ability to use initiative and take responsibility for own work.

3. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work with and build relationships with working colleagues.

4. Experience working with plankton datasets and producing written reports using a variety of IT systems.

Desirable Criteria

1. Experience identifying zooplankton to the species level.

2. Experience carrying out field work.

3. Experience using databases

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £36,585, Scottish Government contributes £9,877 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : dafne.eerkes-medrano@gov.scot
• Email : dafne.eerkes-medrano@gov.scot

Recruitment team

• Email : katie.stewart@gov.scot

Further information

https://core-scottishgovernment.icims.com/jobs/9528/zooplankton-ecologist/job?mode=view&mobile=false&width=612&height=500&bga=true&needsRedirect=false&jan1offset=0&jun1offset=60

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