Contract Type: Fixed Term, approximately 2.5 years
Salary Range: £32,344 - £36,382 per annum (starting salary will depend on experience)
Location: SAMS Oban, Scotland
Working Pattern: Full Time, hybrid/flexible working available (three days working on-site, two days working remotely)
Closing Date: 5th August 2022
The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) is Scotland’s largest and longest-established independent marine science organisation. We deliver marine science R&D excellence promoting a productive and sustainably managed marine environment.
Environmental DNA is set to revolutionise the way we assess and monitor the marine environment. Measuring impacts of finfish aquaculture on marine sediments has long demanded high levels of taxonomic expertise in benthic organisms. Benthic characterisation via sediment eDNA analysis may provide a rapid alternative to this approach. We are looking for an innovative ecologist to take a leading role in the development of algorithms that predict the environmental status of marine sediments based on their eDNA-profile. This is a fantastic opportunity to be at the forefront of assessing the environmental changes associated with aquaculture, one of the largest, and fastest growing, food-sectors.
You may have a background in, for example, sediment/soil microbial systems and/or DNA-based studies of pollution/non-native introductions or other DNA/eDNA applications. Through your research you will have demonstrated a high-level aptitude and interest in finding patterns in data, necessitating data ‘wrangling’ and statistical modelling. These data-tasks may have included machine learning, and both uni- and multivariate statistical modelling. You will be comfortable presenting your research to a range of audiences and publishing scientific and technical papers. Competency in R is essential; experience of metabarcoding and/or sedimentary systems (the core focus of this post) would be advantageous, but training / familiarisation will be given where necessary.
Download: PDRA in eDNA-based Environmental Impact Monitoring
We would love to hear from you and answer any questions you might have before progressing through the application process. Please feel free to contact Tom Wilding (Tom.Wilding@sams.ac.uk), PI for the project - with your questions and to request further information.
Applications must include CV and Cover Letter and should be sent electronically to recruitment@sams.ac.uk quoting Job Ref. ‘D05/22.TW’
The closing date for receipt of applications is 5th August 2022