Seagrass Research Officer

Theme: Research

Hours of work: 35 hours per week to include some occasional weekend and evening working as required.

Contract: 2-year fixed term, extension subject to continued funding

Location: Bridgend, South Wales

Introduction 

Project Seagrass is an environmental charity devoted to the conservation of seagrass ecosystems through community, research, and action. Our mission is to lead societal change to enable the recognition, recovery, and resilience of seagrass ecosystems globally; that provide biodiversity, equitable and sustainable livelihoods, and planetary life support.

This role is funded by our Seagrass Ocean Rescue programme which is a research and conservation collaboration between Swansea University, WWF and Project Seagrass that seeks to facilitate, inspire and act to restore 3000 hectares of seagrass by 2030. This builds on successful trials and projects across  Wales, England and Scotland This scientific post will take a lead on restoration work in Noth Wales and pull together data from across our UK sites, including our nursery, to improve methods and drive forward restoration science.

The post is to be initially appointed on a fixed term contract but significant funding opportunities suggest potential for an extended or ongoing position.

Background information 

As part of the Seagrass Ocean Rescue project, funds have been secured to pay for the development of tools to facilitate seagrass restoration at larger scales, however scientific expertise is required to enable the application of these tools to create ecologically appropriate methods for seagrass restoration. 

The post holder will have a marine ecological background, preferably with experience of interdisciplinary working. Preferably the post holder will have knowledge and experience in temperate seagrass or other marine habitat restoration. 

The post holder will be an integral part of the team at Project Seagrass working with stakeholders, partners, and collaborators ensure wide dissemination and knowledge sharing with the marine conservation and research sectors. Project Seagrass have a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals including Sustainable Development Goal 17 “partnerships for the goals." Collaboration and partnership are integral to advancing science and securing successful seagrass restoration, and the SDGs, more broadly, can only be realized with strong global partnerships and cooperation. 

Project Seagrass have a range of aquaria and field facilities alongside our seagrass nursery site in West Wales. This includes a range of mechanised equipment for large-scale seagrass planting, multispectral drones, an ROV and our marine research vessel for diving and restoration work. The post holder would need to have a skill set applicable to utilising such facilities.

Main Purpose of Post

• Provide high level, technical scientific leadership to seagrass restoration operations in North Wales
• Lead scientific input into seagrass restoration operations for Seagrass Ocean Rescue sites in North Wales
• Lead scientific outputs and deliverables from Seagrass Ocean Rescue North Wales. 
• Pro-actively contribute to and conduct seagrass restoration activities. 
• Lead on technical reporting to communities, funders and stakeholders
• Provide scientific leadership for data analysis for reporting and knowledge sharing.
• Coordinate management tasks across project partners
• Providing operational/logistics leadership across Seagrass Ocean Rescue activities
• Lead on preparation of scientific outputs such as reports describing the results of the seagrass restoration activities.
• Contribute pro-actively to the development of external funding applications to support ongoing work. The appointee will be expected as a normal part of their work to be actively engaged in writing or contributing to writing such applications.
• Provide support and expertise to ongoing seagrass restoration projects in the UK (Wales, England and Scotland) to improve their efficiency and success.
• Lead associated seagrass restoration field and lab studies in collaboration with other Project Seagrass staff and projects.
• Pro-actively contribute to and conduct research, including gathering, preparing and analysing data and presenting results, exhibiting a degree of independence in terms of specifying the focus and direction of the research.
• Prepare reports, and academic research papers describing the results of the research for publication. The appointee is expected to be actively engaged in the writing and publishing of research papers, particularly those intended for publication in refereed (eg international) journals or comparable as a normal part of their role.
• Interact positively and professionally with other collaborators and partners within Project Seagrass.
• Keep informed of developments in the field in both technical and specific terms and the wider subject area.
• Line managing project support staff where relevant.

General Duties

• Contribute to Project Seagrass organisational matters to help it run smoothly and to help raise its external research profile.
• Promote equity and diversity in working practices and maintain positive working relationships.
• Conduct the job role and all activities in accordance with safety, health and sustainability policies and management systems, to reduce risks and impacts arising from the work activity.
• Provide support towards Seagrass Ocean Rescue team motivation.
• Promoting our charitable aims, inclusive culture and Project Seagrass brand.
• Travel for fieldwork, events and meetings will be required with overnight stays.

Person Specification 

• Self-motivated, able to apply initiative to determine suitable ways to tackle challenges and seek guidance when needed.
• Strong organisational, communication and planning skills
• A proactive team player with a positive attitude and high energy
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to work as part of a team in an environment of equality, trust and respect to deliver projects that strive to meet the charity’s objectives
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent IT skills
• Enthusiasm and passion for sustainability and protecting the environment, commitment to acting in a responsible environmental manner

Essential criteria: 

• A PhD in marine (or Plant) science. Candidates with significant alternative experience to a PhD relevant to this position may also be considered.
• Experience of working with temperate seagrass.
• Extensive experience of marine fieldwork.
• Evidence of active engagement, personal role, and contribution to writing and publishing research papers, particularly for refereed journals.
• Evidence of the capacity for active engagement in designing research and writing, or contributing to writing, applications for external research funding.
• A commitment to continuous professional development. 

Desirable criteria: 

• Experience of seagrass restoration
• Experience of UK scientific diving together with a CMAS 3* qualification (PADI Divemaster or above), ideally HSE Scuba.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Experience of managing and mentoring staff
• Experience of professional boat driving with an RYA Advanced powerboat qualification (or equivalent).
• High level of statistical skills.
• Experience of project management.

Additional Information 

Applications are invited based on a 2-page CV and 2-page covering letter by email to Emma Povey via the 'Apply' button above. Please include details of 2 referees from recent employment in the email.

Informal enquiries: Informal enquiries are welcome and can be directed to emma.p@projectseagrass.org     

Application Deadline: 31^st March

Interviews will be held on 16^th April 2024