This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of technicians supporting the delivery of research at the world-renowned Sea Mammal Research Unit. We are seeking a flexible and motivated individual who will assist in the estimation of diet of seals. 

The UK hosts internationally significant populations of two seal species; approximately 160,000 grey and 45,000 harbour seals (SCOS 2021). While grey seal abundance is stable or increasing around the coast of the UK, harbour seals trends are less favourable in some areas, declining in English waters by around 25% in the last 5 years (SCOS 2021), posing a serious conservation concern. SMRU is starting a project focussing on the distribution, movements, health and diet of both seal species to determine the potential role of both natural and anthropogenic factors in the decline in harbour seals. Seal diet can be estimated through identification of hard parts (fish otoliths and cephalopod beaks) in scats (seal faeces; see Wilson and Hammond 2019) or through the eDNA techniques (e.g. Thomas et al 2022). Both techniques are being used in this project.

Skills and attributes required include:

• Experience of practical research, particularly lab work
• A well organised, self motivated person with attention to detail 
• A willingness to be flexible and learn new techniques
• Ability to work within a team as well as individually
• Full UK driving licence would be useful but is not essential

What can we provide?

The post holders will join a dynamic, collegiate group of researchers who are working to understand the cause of regional declines in harbour seals, and related questions associated with grey and harbour seal population and spatial ecology. As well as building knowledge of seal population ecology, the post holder will gain broader insights into marine mammal research in SMRU. They will be invited to attend seminar series in the Scottish Ocean Institute and the wider School of Biology.

The post holders will have opportunities for development of skills, knowledge and experience in ecological research, including DNA extraction, microscope use, fieldwork, data manipulation in Excel and/or R. As well as the project Principal Investigator, there will be a support network of staff to provide all required training.

The positions are fixed term until 31 March 2024.

Employees of the University have access to a wide range of staff benefits including:

• Annual leave of 30 days, plus 5 public holidays
• Membership of the S&LAS Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions
• a range of family friendly policies
• Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services
• Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel
• Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff/children of staff, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme and a range of wellbeing initiatives 

Further information and informal enquiries may be directed to Debbie Russell, email: dr60@st-andrews.ac.uk

Please include a 2-page CV with your application.

References

SCOS (2021) Scientific Advice on Matters Related to the Management of Seal Populations: 2021    Natural Environment Research Council Special Committee on Seals 

Thomas, A.C., Deagle, B., Nordstrom, C., Majewski, S., Nelson, B.W., Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A., Jeffries, S., Moore, J., Louden, A., Allegue, H. and Pearson, S., 2022. Data on the diets of Salish Sea harbour seals from DNA metabarcoding. Scientific data, 9(1), p.68.

Wilson, L.J. and Hammond, P.S., 2019. The diet of harbour and grey seals around Britain: Examining the role of prey as a potential cause of harbour seal declines. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 29, pp.71-85.

Applications are particularly welcome from women, people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in technical and professional posts at the University.  

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the St Andrews experience.  We strive to create a fair and inclusive culture demonstrated through our commitment to diversity awards (Athena Swan, Carer Positive, LGBT Charter, Race Charters and Stonewall). We celebrate diversity by promoting profiles of BAME, LGBTIQ+ staff and supporting networks including the Staff BAME Network; Staff with Disabilities Network; Staff LGBTIQ+ Network; and the Staff Parents & Carers Network.  Full details available online: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/

In accordance with the new immigration rules, it is with regret that this role does not meet the current suitability requirements set by the UKVI to enable sponsorship of migrant workers.  The University encourages all interested candidates to apply regardless of nationality and all applications received are assessed against the essential and desirable criteria listed in the further particulars.  The successful candidate will have to demonstrate their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment and where required, obtain the right to work in the UK without relying on University sponsorship.  Information on other visa options is available at https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa or by contacting our HR Immigration Team on hrimmigration@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Closing Date:  11 August 2023

Please quote ref:  TG1286SB

Further Particulars:  TG1286SB FPs.doc

School of Biology

SMRU

Salary: £25,742 - £29,605 per annum pro rata

Start: As soon as possible

Fixed term until 31 Matrch 2024