Research Assistant in Seabird Monitoring

University of Sheffield - School of Biosciences

We are looking to appoint a Research Assistant for a project in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology research cluster in the School of Biosciences. Our group is interested in the dynamics of seabird populations and the impact of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The project will involve intensive monitoring of the survival and productivity of common guillemots on Skomer Island, Wales, during their breeding season. The project is funded by charitable donations and led by Professors Ben Hatchwell and Tim Birkhead.

Duties will include intensive observations of a colony of guillemots to identify colour-ringed birds, regular and systematic searches of other locations around the island for colour-ringed birds, and monitoring of productivity of a sample of pairs at the main study colony. Additional duties may arise according to unpredictable developments during the field season. The Research Assistant will be responsible for day-to-day organization of fieldwork tasks to fulfil these duties. The Research Assistant will maintain frequent contact with the PIs, liaising with them to ensure efficient and rigorous collection of field data.

Applicants must have a BSc or MSc (or equivalent experience) in a relevant biological discipline. Previous experience in field ornithology, experience of rigorous collection and handling of numerical data, the ability to work well in groups and independently, and knowledge, understanding and experience of safe fieldwork practice are essential.

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