Research Fellow – Ecological data analysis

About us

Biosciences 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.

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.

About the role

The 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.

The Job Description and Person Specification available via the “Apply” button will provide you with more information on the role and the required skills and experience.

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.

Job Ref: B02-07728

Closing Date: 29/10/2024 – 23:59 (UK time)

If you have any queries about the role, please contact Dr Joanne Littlefair. 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 the Biosciences staffing team.

About you

Although 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.

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 offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/

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