Research Associate in Passive Acoustic Monitoring

Position: We are seeking to recruit a Research Associate in Passive acoustic monitoring of offshore wind ecosystem effects to join our multi-disciplinary team. If you are excited by interdisciplinary collaboration, cutting-edge technology, and real-world impact, this is your chance to shape the future of offshore renewables.

With rapid development of floating offshore wind (FLOW), exploitation of enhanced prey availability around FLOW by predators depends on attractiveness (e.g., prey abundance and regularity) and potential threat assessments, including movement and noise from dynamic moorings and indirect effects such as vessel activity. Predator presence may reflect a trade-off between the foraging benefits potentially offered by increased prey availability and the risks posed by disturbances such as noise and vessel activity. This exciting role will investigate how marine species respond to new sound sources by analysing passive acoustic recordings and soundscape dynamics. Your work will contribute directly to sustainable offshore energy policies and marine conservation efforts.

Responsibilities: The post holders will be responsible for processing data from seabed passive acoustic ‘click detectors’ and develop and apply processing techniques for data from broadband sound recorders for concurrent measures of ambient and turbine noise. You will support the wider passive acoustic measurement campaigns and platform integration as well as the wider portfolio of marine renewable energy research.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills: The suitable candidates will have the knowledge, skills and experience associated with a first degree, together with a PhD or equivalent professional qualification/ at least 4 years appropriate professional experience. You will have sufficient breadth or depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline to effectively contribute to research programmes and to the development of departmental research activities. You will have experience in passive acoustic data collection, processing and analysis. Experience of academic teaching would be advantageous.

Benefits of working for us: 

• 45 days annual leave per year (pro rata for part-time staff)
• Local Government Pension Scheme (Highland Council)
• 10% Membership Discount at Highlife Highland 
• Occupational sick pay scheme and family friendly leave provisions
• Staff Support and Employee Assistance Programmes
• Employment Benefits Scheme including lifestyle savings and Cycle to Work Scheme

To Apply: For a full job description and an application form, download the pack at: Staff - Vacancies (uhi.ac.uk) or email recruitment.nwh@uhi.ac.uk

Please include your CV with your application.

• Job description
• Guidance Notes for Candidates
• Personal Details Form
• Application form

Advert information