Research Scientist, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust

Type of appointment: From August 2024, two years initially

Reporting to: Director of Research

Location: Burgate Manor, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 1EF

Hours of work: Full time, 37.5 hours per week. Flexible work pattern negotiable.

Applications to: Dr Andrew Hoodless  ahoodless@gwct.org.uk

We seek a postdoctoral scientist with advanced data analysis skills and a proven record of publishing scientific papers to assist the Director of Research in ensuring timely output of key papers from Trust projects and to help with the development of funding applications. We are seeking someone with broad ecological interests who is willing to apply their skills to a range of topics, including farmland ecology, wader conservation and predation management. The role represents an opportunity to work with large and long-term datasets and to develop your personal publication record. The role will involve sourcing and collating data from external sources, interaction with project partners and the opportunity to develop new analytical skills.

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) is a UK-based wildlife research and conservation charity. Its headquarters is based in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, and there are several administrative and research outstations across England, Wales, and Scotland. Its aim is for a thriving countryside rich in game and other wildlife, with the goal of enhancing the British countryside for public benefit. The GWCT has been researching and developing game and wildlife management techniques for over 80 years. The results of its applied research are used to provide science-led training and advice to farmers, gamekeepers, land managers, policy makers, politicians and other stakeholders on how best to ensure sustainable land management alongside a countryside rich in wildlife.

The Director of Research is tasked with maintaining the number and quality of scientific outputs by the GWCT. The creation of this role is designed to help increase paper-writing capacity within the Research team. The role will involve collation, management and statistical analysis of datasets, sourcing of environmental, geographical and land use datasets to complement field-collected data, publishing first author papers and supporting the senior research team in publishing papers. There will be the opportunity to develop hypotheses for maximising outputs from GWCT datasets, support the development of new projects and write funding proposals.

Specific skills, experience and knowledge

Essential:

• A PhD in ornithology, farmland ecology or entomology
• A proven record of first-author scientific publications
• Sound knowledge of data analytical skills, including parametric and non-parametric methods, multi-variate analysis, mixed models and additive models
• A team player; approachable, flexible, enthusiastic
• Broad interest and knowledge of research techniques for insects, birds and predation studies

Desirable:

• Experience of Bayesian statistics
• Experience of databases e.g. SQL
• Experience of speaking at conferences, meetings and events

Please send cover letter and CV to Dr Andrew Hoodless, GWCT Director of Research: ahoodless@gwct.org.uk (via the ‘Apply’ button above).

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