Research Associate/Senior Research Associate in Marine Bioacoustics, Conservation, Restoration and Policy

Salary:

£39,906 - £44,746 (Grade I);

£44,746 - £50,253 (Grade J) per annum (depending on experience)

The role

This role will support the research of Prof. Steve Simpson and his research group as they undertake marine biology research in the UK and overseas. Ongoing projects include:

• developing soundscape tools to measure biodiversity in the UK, working in partnership with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Natural England
• exploring natural behaviour and impacts of human disturbance in manta rays in the Maldives, in partnership with the Manta Trust
• building a coral reef restoration programme in the Egyptian Red Sea, working with the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association
• innovating new methods for early life history coral reef restoration, including building an acoustic toolkit, in partnership with Soneva Conservation and Sustainability Maldives and Mars Sustainability Solutions (Indonesia)
• establishing pathways from scientific innovation to policy and industry, involving organising stakeholder workshops, with collaborations including Mindfully Wired Communication, Sole of Discretion, United Nations Development Programme and Defra

You will work closely with Prof. Simpson, supporting a team of research assistants, and PhD and Research Masters students, and build your own research portfolio within these projects. Tasks will include grant-writing, field and admin logistics, data collection and analysis, report and paper writing, conference presentations, stakeholder meetings planning, and public and media outreach.

What will you be doing?

You will support postgraduate research students in their desk-based research (e.g. using R for advanced data analysis, modelling, and visualisation), as well as taking a lead on multiple projects through first authoring scientific publications. You will also lead empirical studies, in person and through remote supervision, which are likely to include working in water (SCUBA and snorkelling) and from boats, as well as in lab (e.g. ex situ aquariums) conditions. You will work with group members to prepare scientific publications, reports and briefings.

You should apply if

You have a strong interest in one or more of Marine Bioacoustics, Conservation, Restoration and Policy. In this role, you will be supported to lead projects from inception to completion, where organisation, teamwork, leadership and strong communication skills are key.

You should have relevant postdoctoral experience, evidence of leading marine-based research teams including postgraduate supervision, a proven track record of securing funding, and a track record of delivering training and stakeholder events.

Ideally, you will have boat handling and scuba diving qualifications at a level ready for leading field teams.

Additional information

Contract type: Open-ended with fixed funding until 31/07/2030

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Tuesday 13th October 2026

For informal queries please contact:  Prof. Steve Simpson, Head of School of Biological Sciences via email: 

S.Simpson@bristol.ac.uk or tel: +44 7900551883

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

Available documents

• ACAD108712 - Researcher - Job Description.pdf

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