Post-Doctoral Research Assistant – BALI
Role description: The project will explore the functional importance of termites in tropical forest for ecosystem functioning and structure. The successful candidate will work closely with Dr Paul Eggleton (line manager) and Dr Kate Parr (University of Liverpool). The Post-Doctoral Research Assistant (PDRA) will specialise in termites, and work closely with another PDRA working on the same projects specialising on ants (based at the University of Liverpool).
The jobholder will take a leading role in fieldwork preparation, and the collection, analysis, management and interpretation of data collected in the field over several long fieldwork campaigns. The role holder will interact closely with our collaborators across the NERC Biodiversity and Land Use Intensification (BALI) consortium. A combination of tropical fieldwork experience and insect identification skills is highly desirable, but on the job training will be provided for exceptional candidates. He or she will be expected to play a full role in the timely write-up and publication of the results, including participation in national and international ecological conferences.
Salary: £28,188 per annum plus benefits
Contract: 24 month Fixed-Term Appointment
Closing Date: Midnight on Friday 16 January 2015
Role competences: BEFORE beginning your application - Please read the section below about the ‘Online Application Process’ carefully.
If you wish to be considered for this role you will need to address each of the following competences in the ‘other information’ section of your online application:
1. PhD (or equivalent qualification) in environmental or biological sciences
2. Significant experience of tropical fieldwork
3. Demonstrable experience of working effectively both independently and as part of a team
4. Evidence of strong quantitative, organisational and data management skills
5. Proven ability to be adaptable and work in challenging conditions
6. Demonstrable ability to problem-solve successfully
7. Excellent time management skills
8. Proven ability to manage other team members effectively
9. Excellent track record of publishing
10. Demonstrable enthusiasm for, and ideally experience of, working on termites
Online application process: You are required to provide a response to ALL of the role competences listed above within the ‘Other Information’ section of the online application form (up to 140 words per competence). In order to demonstrate how you meet each competence fully, please provide specific examples from your achievements, knowledge, skills and/or experience.
IMPORTANT: The ‘Other Information’ section will ‘timeout’ after 35 minutes and any information not saved during this time will be lost. Please therefore prepare your answers on a separate document before transferring and saving them to your application.
The ‘Additional Questions’ regarding right to work in the UK and age are mandatory questions and any applications received without these answers will not be considered.
Please review your application fully before pressing ‘submit application’ as you will not be able to make any further amends after submitting, and any applications received which have not addressed ALL competences in full and/or the mandatory questions will be rejected.
Please note that CVs will not be accepted outside of the online application process or as a substitute for completion of the competences.
The attached ‘Role Specification’ provides further information on the role and how to apply.
Please also be aware that we are not able to offer a certificate of sponsorship for this role. If you do not have the right to work in the UK without a visa sponsored by NHM, then unfortunately you will not be eligible to apply for this vacancy.