Statistician / Modeler in Ecology and Environmental Science
Are you passionate about applying your quantitative skills to tackle pressing environmental and ecological challenges? BioSS (Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland) is looking for an innovative and motivated early-career statistician or quantitative modeler to join our ecology and environmental sciences team.
This permanent post is an excellent long-term career opportunity for a suitably
qualified statistician or quantitative scientist, offering a stimulating route to building a comprehensive portfolio of statistical experience and expertise in a stimulating, supportive environment while making a tangible impact on ecological and environmental science! You’ll play a key role in developing and applying cutting-edge statistical and modelling approaches in ecology and environmental science. You’ll interact with other quantitative experts across and beyond BioSS, including collaborating closely with applied scientists from leading UK research institutions such as Forest Research (https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk), UKCEH (https://www.ceh.ac.uk/), and the SEFARI institutes (https://sefari.scot). We offer time for personal research and opportunities to contribute to externally funded projects (e.g. UKRI) alongside other BioSS staff and with our collaborators.
BioSS is a member of the SEFARI (Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutes) collective (https://sefari.scot/); we have an international reputation for research, consultancy and training in statistics, mathematical modelling and bioinformatics. BioSS offers a stimulating working environment, with over 50 staff and students at 4 locations across Scotland.
At BioSS, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking, diverse and supportive team of over 50 staff and students working across multiple statistics and modelling disciplines, collaborating on applications in plant & crop science, animal health & welfare, environmental science & ecology, and human health & nutrition. We value collaboration, innovation, and the continuous development of our team members: we’ve been awarded Investors in People Gold Status since 2019.
This is a permanent position based in Aberdeen, but with the flexibility to work from BioSS locations in Dundee or Edinburgh, or remotely from home.
What You’ll Do:
- Collaborate on exciting research projects in statistics and/or mathematical modelling, particularly in environmental and ecological sciences, including working with Forest Research and the Scottish Government RESAS research programme.
- Contribute to applications for funded projects, especially in environment and ecology.
- Represent BioSS at meetings with both scientific and non-scientific stakeholders, expanding our collaborative network.
- Engage with government agencies, NGOs, universities, and commercial organizations, and contribute to BioSS training courses for scientists.
What We’re Looking For:
Essential Qualifications & Skills:
- A PhD in statistics or a quantitative discipline (or MSc with relevant work experience).
- Experience applying modern quantitative methods to real-world problems in ecology/environmental science.
- A proven track record of research and collaboration, with evidence of delivered outputs (e.g., scientific journals, conference papers, consultancy reports, digital tools, open-source software).
- Strong communication skills, and the ability to initiate and maintain scientific collaborations.
- Independence, enthusiasm for quantitative methods, and a desire to work with scientists across a range of fields.
- Appetite for personal development, including learning new methodology.
- Strong statistical skills (e.g., mixed models, generalized linear models, spatial modelling).
- Proficiency in statistical programming (especially in R).
- Strong scientific writing skills for both quantitative and non-technical audiences.
Desirable Experience:
- Experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Data science and visualization
- Spatial and temporal modelling
- Movement modelling
- Statistical inference and computation
- Experimental design
- Experience communicating with government or commercial clients to inform policy or decision-making.
- Experience with Open Science practices and technologies.
Potential applicants may contact Dr Nick Schurch (nick.schurch@bioss.ac.uk), in confidence, to discuss this position.
Closing Date: 28th October 2024
Interview Date: 11th November 2024
Benefits offered
- 35 hour working week.
- Annual Leave: Generous entitlement of up to 40.5 days a year.
- Pension: Employer Contribution of 15% of salary into a Personal Pension Plan.
- Self-managed hours and Flexible Working: options to structure your working time, in line with organisational needs, to define a healthy work life balance.
- Generous annual time allocation to support your personal development as a scientist.
- Employee Assistance Programme: A confidential service available to support employees and their families with work or personal problems.
How to Apply
Applications should be made using the recruitment pages operated by our parent organization, The James Hutton Institute.
To apply, please create an account and upload personal details along with
- a CV, including as a minimum your education and employment history plus relevant scientific achievements,
- a covering letter/statement detailing why you consider yourself suitable for this post.
We reserve the right to disregard applications based on material we identify as AI generated.
Other Notes
We will not consider the use of 3rd party recruitment agencies for the sourcing of candidates for this position, and we do not use AI software as part of our candidate assessment or CV sifting.
The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from underrepresented groups in STEM, particularly women, BAME and LGBTQ+.
The James Hutton Institute is happy to talk flexible working.
The James Hutton Institute is a: Stonewall Diversity Champion; Athena SWAN Bronze Status Holder; Disability Confident Committed Employer and Living Wage Employer.
BioSS is formally part of, and administered by, The James Hutton Institute, a Scottish charity No. SC041796.
