Oferta compartida por Cristina
Research Assistant - 2 months - Field Work
Reference: MAR20227396
Expiry date: 00:59, Sat, 9th Apr 2022
Location: Dorset
Salary: £21,622.00 - £23,987.00 Per Annum
Benefits: Pension, Life Assurance, 26 days Annual Leave (pro-rata)
Duration: 2 months
We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced fieldworker to work as a Research Assistant to a PhD student on a project to help us understand potential impacts of rodenticides on kestrel populations. Kestrels are a high priority bird species in the UK following declines of around 35% over the last 30 years, and this project contributes to efforts to understand the causes of decline.
About the role
You will undertake fieldwork at kestrel breeding sites in Dorset (around Poole) during the 2022 kestrel breeding season. You will work with other team members surveying and trapping small mammals, monitoring kestrel nests and collecting samples. You will need to maintain good relations across the team and with the landowners.
The PhD is based at the University of York in partnership with the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and the Health & Safety Executive and fieldwork is in a collaborative partnership with Bournemouth University.
The key tasks include:
Small mammal surveys and trapping with Longworth traps along transects.
Monitoring kestrel nests and collecting samples from in and around nests.
Desk based activities can be done remotely from a home base (equipment will be provided).
What we need from you
Essential skills, knowledge and experience
Experience of fieldwork.
Practical experience of undertaking small mammal surveys and trapping.
Practical experience of monitoring nests.
Comfortable working at height.
A BTO or equivalent bird ringing license covering adult and pullus kestrels.
Good verbal and written communication skills to maintain good relations with landowners, RSPB staff and local stakeholders.
Knowledge of, and adherence to, legal and practical requirements on protected species and health and safety.
Self-motivated and an ability to use own initiative to solve day to day problems.
Willing and able to work flexible hours.
Full UK driving licence or ability to access remote locations not accessible by public transport.
Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:
A relevant degree or equivalent experience.
Consistently and accurately record data in the field and collate and maintain electronic data as required, skilled in the use of Microsoft Office applications.
Experience of working with raptors. Please note This role is still awaiting official funding. Due to timings we have had to advertise to be able to carry out the project once funding is granted. There is obviously a slim chance that funding will not be given.
This is a fixed term contract, full-time role for 2 months, working 37.5 hours per week, with the view of starting early May 2022. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position in early April 2022. Interviews will be conducted remotely on Microsoft Teams.
As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.
For further information, please contact Malcolm Burgess (Principal Conservation Scientist) Malcolm.Burgess@rspb.org.uk
The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Accommodation is not provided with the role, however, the project may be able to contribute towards the cost of rented accommodation for those having to relocate from a home base elsewhere. This post is dependent on external funding which is not as yet confirmed, and the post will only be appointed on confirmation of funding.
Before applying to this role, we encourage you to read through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.
