Senior Research Associate – Marine food web rewiring

An exciting opportunity exists for a marine scientist or community ecologist to contribute to a Royal Society funded project: Harnessing island-ocean connections to support ecosystems and people.

This new research hub will investigate island-ocean connectivity and the influence of seabirds and island rewilding on ecosystem structure, function, and benefits to people. You will focus on the role of seabird nutrient run-off, the extent to which those nutrients are integrated into foundation species, and how food web structures are influenced by the nutrient subsidies.

Potential study sites will include the inner and southern Seychelles, the Mediterranean Sea and island archipelagos around the UK. Ecosystems to explore include mangroves, seagrass, coral reefs and kelp. This project is led out of Lancaster University, with a number of collaborating universities and NGOs.

Fieldwork for the project will include periods in remote locations, working in small teams, and scuba and snorkel-based work; experience of such working will be essential. There will be opportunities to gain experience in co-mentoring of PhD students. You are encouraged to think through your own ideas about the role of seabird nutrients on food web rewiring and how your area of expertise could be applied to this study.

You will work closely with Prof Nick Graham on this project, and collaborate with other members of the research team, both in Lancaster and at collaborating institutions.

Preferred candidates will have a PhD in marine science/community ecology, experience of fieldwork, skills in statistical modelling, and a proven ability to publish scientific papers. A proactive and enthusiastic approach and good interpersonal skills are essential.

Lancaster University is a research-intensive university, ranked in the top 10 of UK universities. The Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) is a large and multidisciplinary department, tackling environmental challenges across the natural and social sciences. Within LEC, there is particular strength in high diversity tropical systems, including coral reefs and tropical rainforests.

LEC offers a highly collegial and stimulating environment for career development based on departmental values and embedded Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) considerations and actions. The University is committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies, the Athena SWAN Charter, and is active around sustainability, wellbeing and decolonising agendas.

Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.