JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Details
Research Associate
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £31,396 to £33,966 with potential progression once in post to £38,205
Grade 6
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to December 2026
Closing date: 1st January 2024
Kindly be advised that, owing to specific business requirements, we currently have a single available position. However, we are open to considering applications for alternative grades. Prior to submitting your application, we encourage you to review the related vacancies (3706 and 3707) to ascertain alignment with your preferences.
Background
An enthusiastic, innovative and self-motivated person is sought for the position of Research Associate to work on an exciting new research project funded jointly by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.K. Natural Environment Research Council (entitled “Warming’s silver lining? Thermal compensation at multiple levels of organization may promote ecosystem stability in response to drought”). This three-year project aims to understand how the gradual warming caused by climate change will affect how freshwater ecosystems, specifically rivers and streams, respond to extreme climate events, particularly periods of low flow and hydrological drought. The project has two main components: 1. experimental work in Iceland, where streams of contrasting temperature arising because of geothermal activity are used as surrogates of climate warming, and 2. replicated flume experiments in Birmingham U.K., where state-of-the-art facilities are located.
The post holder will establish and maintain warming experiments in our outdoor artificial stream facility – the Ecolaboratory (link) – located on the University of Birmingham Campus. The first phase of the work will involve establishing the physical structure of the stream habitat (substrate, flow conditions and thermal regime) and biological communities (plants and invertebrates) in the Ecolaboratory flumes, with visits to local rivers and streams. They will also set-up, calibrate and maintain environmental sensors, and manage the data collected. A second phase will involve 1. applying and maintaining experimental manipulations of flow regimes and water temperature to a high standard to ensure the effectiveness of experimental research in the flumes, and 2. collecting and processing biological and water samples. They will support a wider team of researchers from the UK and US, and will take part in field sampling campaigns in Iceland periodically.
Role Summary
- Work within specified research grants and/or projects
- Operate within area of specialism
- Contribute to publications
Main Duties
- You will be responsible for assisting in managing the outdoor experimental Ecolaboratory facility and laboratory, under the leadership of the facility Director.
- Devise and undertake flume-based laboratory experiments at the Ecolaboratory.
- Ensure the Ecolaboratory facility runs efficiently and resolve operational issues that arise swiftly to protect experiments, in liaison with University staff.
- Organise and manage data in standard formats (spreadsheets) for future analysis.
- Collect and process samples for physicochemical and biological characterisation using environmental analytical techniques.
- Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews.
- Analyse research data as directed.
- Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters.
- Develop or adapt techniques, models and methods.
- Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with research.
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
- Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the delivery of the research.
- Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Person Specification
- Degree or equivalent in the Environmental Sciences or Engineering.
- Postgraduate-level study desirable.
- Experience working with environmental sensors and dataloggers is desirable.
- Experience in field-based environmental monitoring is essential and experience running outdoor/mesocosm experiments is desirable.
- Knowledge of freshwater ecology is desirable.
- UK driving licence is essential, as you will be required to travel to different sites which are not accessible by public transport
- Practical experience of applying the relevant skills and techniques.
- Ability to analyse information and communicate effectively.
- Ability to access and organise resources successfully.
- Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.
Informal enquiries to Mark Ledger, email: m.e.ledger@bham.ac.uk
We believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.
