PDRA in Seabird Movement and Behaviour - Grade 7

University of Liverpool - Faculty of Science and Engineering (SCE) - School of Environmental Sciences - Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences

Placed On: 2nd April 2026
Closes: 23rd April 2026
Job Ref: 108233

This post is part of a Cross Research Council Responsive Mode grant “Sensing and computing taking wing: unravelling the mysteries of seabird navigation”. This is a collaborative interdisciplinary grant held between biologists at the University of Liverpool (Samantha Patrick and Ollie Padget) and micro-sensor engineers the University of York (Chun Zhao and Martin Trefzer) aiming to understand the sensory environment in which seabirds live while far out at sea.

The project aims to bring together seabird GPS-tracking expertise and micro-sensor engineering expertise to augment GPS trackers with sensors which have not been possible previously (chemo-sensors, infrasound, light levels etc) to characterise the sensory environment of navigating seabirds. Using Manx shearwaters as a model for the long-distance navigation exhibited by seabirds, the project will capitalise on existing high-resolution GPS tracking and remotely sensed data and develop, collect and analyse new data onboard shearwaters. The project will involve three post docs, one focussed on seabird behaviour and the other two on micro-sensor (engineering) development, based at York. This advert is specifically for the biologically focussed post doc, who has the chance to explore and analyse determinants of shearwater at-sea behaviour (navigation, finding food etc) to focus the development of novel sensors. Additionally, we hope towards the end of the post doc for these new data streams to be available for the post doc to identify information-containing input cues birds use for their movement decisions at sea.

This is a fixed-term post, available for 2 years.

If you are still awaiting your PhD to be awarded you will be appointed at Grade 6, spine point 30. Upon written confirmation that you have been awarded your PhD, your salary will be increased to Grade 7, spine point 31.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to enhancing a workforce as diverse as our community and particularly encourage applicants who are of minoritised genders and ethnic backgrounds, living with a disability, and/or are members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

For full details and to apply online, please visit: recruit.liverpool.ac.uk