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Conservation Scientist (Fixed-Term)

Reference: AUG20215089
Expiry date: 2021-08-30 23:59:00.000
Location: Flexible
Salary: £27,574.00 - £30,590.00 Per Annum
Benefits: Pension, annual leave
Duration:12 months
Attachments: CandidateGuidanceNotes.pdf

We have a fantastic opportunity for a talented conservation scientist to work within an existing team at the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science to further understand the ecological impacts non-native gamebird releasing in the UK and to inform and support RSPB policy development.

What is the role about?

Recreational shooting of gamebirds in the UK is underpinned by a suite of management practices, including the annual large-scale release of non-native pheasants and red-legged partridges. With an estimated 57 million birds released into the UK countryside annually, there is much interest in identifying potential positive and negative ecological impacts of released gamebirds and of associated management on wildlife and habitats.  This 1 year fixed-term role will work on identified knowledge gaps, producing outputs to inform and support RSPB policy and research development regarding ecological impacts of non-native gamebird release.

We anticipate that this desk-based role will include work on four main areas, with the post holder:

- Organising, undertaking and analysing a survey of land managers to characterise potential and perceived impacts of gamebirds on protected sites and species.

- Leading a spatial analysis to investigate to what extent raptor persecution incidents are associated with gamebird releasing.

- Reviewing and critiquing current gamebird releasing sustainability guidance and synthesising the associated evidence.

- Contributing to the production of peer-reviewed publications in relation to ecological effects of gamebird release.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

  • The ideal candidate for this role will have a proven scientific background (e.g. a PhD in a relevant subject or equivalent experience designing and conducting one or more research projects to a robust scientific standard).
  • A track record of scientific writing and peer-reviewed publication.
  • Experience of designing and implementing ethically-sound, ideally web-based, questionnaire surveys.
  • Experience of collecting, collating, manipulating and analysing large and complex data sets, including knowledge of how to apply complex analytical procedures such as the quantitative analysis of qualitative data arising from questionnaire surveys, and analysis of spatially-reference data.
  • Familiar with Microsoft Office applications and proficient in the use of R or similar statistical software for complex statistical analysis, and ability to learn new techniques and programmes.
  • Experience of summarising and communicating complex scientific information both to colleagues/peers and external audiences.
  • Self-motivated and able to work efficiently to plan and organise their work within a defined work plan to meet deadlines.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

  • The candidate will have working knowledge of gamebird management practices, a balanced understanding of the conservation and socio-economic issues surrounding gamebird release and management, and ecological impacts to habitats and species.
  • Working knowledge of UK and European statutory site conservation designations and the UK protected areas network (SSSIs, nature reserves, SPAs, SACs, etc).
  • Experience of seeking and maintaining professional contacts both within and outside their organisation, and of working collaboratively with colleagues and individuals from a range of different external organisations and stakeholders.

This is a Contract, Full Time role for 12 months. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position in late September 2021. Candidate location is flexible within the UK.

For all application/role enquiries please contact - Lucy.Mason@rspb.org.uk

Please note that you will be required to upload a CV and complete an online application form to be considered for this position.

Before applying for this role we would encourage you to read through the candidate guidance notes attached at the top of this advert.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.