Research Associate - Ecological Modeller, CEH, Wallingford, UK

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Source: http://www.topcareer.jobs/Vacancy/irc223592_6360.aspx

Research Associate - Ecological Modeller

Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

Location: Wallingford
Salary: £28,200
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Contract / Temporary
Placed on: 21st April 2016
Closes: 18th May 2016
Job Ref: IRC223592

The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), part of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), is the UK’s Centre of Excellence for research in the terrestrial and freshwater environmental sciences.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and innovative ecological modeller to work in an active research team across CEH developing ecological models for important pathogens threatening humans, animals, plants and ecosystems. You will develop ecological models and risk frameworks, using innovative modelling approaches, incorporating large-scale ecological and environmental datasets, and considering impacts of environmental change. The post will be an Ecological Modeller based at CEH Wallingford, working within the Disease Ecology Group in the Natural Hazards Section. The post will link disease-related work on pathogens across CEH branches to deliver outputs to the Natural Hazards and Ecological Resilience CEH Science Areas and broad National Initiatives such as the Natural Hazards Partnership.

You will participate initially in a large collaborative project called PHYTOTHREATS aimed to understand the risk posed to UK forest ecosystems by the arrival and spread of Phytophthora plant pathogens in global trade networks - http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/phytothreats. This project is part of the Living With Environmental Change (LWEC) Partnership Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Initiative - http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/filter/tree-health-and-plant-biosecurity-.... You will be responsible for mapping and analysing the known global distributions of Phytophthora plant pathogens to understand how spread and impacts are modulated by environmental factors and species traits and to rank risks to UK forest ecosystems. This project represents an exciting opportunity to deliver ecological models that have high impact on the way plant pathogen risks are ranked and managed as well as contributing to invasion biology.

Informal enquiries about the scientific scope of the post can be addressed by email to Dr Bethan Purse, beth@ceh.ac.uk please do not send CV's.

Tasks include:

Work with collaborators to develop new models and packaging of model outputs according to defined milestones.

Processing of large-scale environmental and ecological datasets.

Communicating model outputs and research findings effectively to stakeholders and at scientific meetings.

Production of reports and scientific papers detailing major research findings.

Development of research proposals including external funding bids.

Skills required

You will hold a PhD and preferably some post-doc experience in ecology, epidemiology or statistics. 

It is essential that you should have proven ability of statistical analysis and programming in relation to ecological datasets.

Existing knowledge of Geographical Information Systems and remote sensing is desirable.

You will possess excellent communication and problem solving skills with the ability to work independently when necessary.

Eligibility to apply

To work for CEH, you must be eligible to live and work in the UK without the requirement for a work permit. CEH can only apply for a work permit in cases where there are no suitably qualified or experienced resident workers; otherwise applicants should normally be resident in the UK or a national of the European Union.

This is a fixed term appointment as a Research Associate for 3 years

Applications are handled by the RCUK Shared Services Centre; to apply please visit our job board at http://www.topcareer.jobs/Vacancy/irc223592_6360.aspx please ensure that you complete an application form as CVs will not be accepted as a standalone. The form should be uploaded via the "My Account" menu option on the "Jobs Home" page. Applicants who would like to receive this advert in an alternative format (e.g. large print, Braille, audio or hard copy), or who are unable to apply online should contact us by telephone on 01793 867000, please quote reference number IRC223592.

Interview Date: 9th June 2016