Postdoctoral Research Associate

<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> <p></p><div>We are recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate to co-ordinate and undertake a programme of research as part of a new project entitled &#8216;A Biodiversity Baseline for the Begbroke Innovation District&#8217;. Our project will focus on the site of a major new infrastructure project near Oxford comprising an expanded Science Park alongside new homes, schools, businesses, community facilities and public green space. This development provides a unique opportunity for impactful research on implementing sustainable infrastructure and housing developments, including their potential to achieve nature recovery.</div><br> <div>&#160;</div><br> <div>Working with the Principal Investigators and assisted by a small team of assistants, you will finalise data collection strategy and protocols, and collect and analyse data on key components of biodiversity at the site. This baseline will provide the essential template and platform for future re-surveys during and through the life of the development, allowing a robust assessment of the University&#8217;s commitments to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain. Your work will involve planning, organising and executing a programme of fieldwork to sample and quantify selected components of biodiversity and relevant abiotic variables on the Begbroke site; preparation, identification and archiving of samples; and associated data and sample management curation and analysis. You will also work closely with other teams on how best to translate this biodiversity monitoring framework into guidance that is immediately useful to the ongoing management and monitoring of biodiversity on other parts of the University&#8217;s green estate.</div><br> <div>&#160;</div><br> <div>You will hold, or be close to completion of, a PhD/DPhil in a relevant subject, or have substantial equivalent research experience, as well as strong natural history skills, including the ability to identify, and design field monitoring protocols for, relevant UK plant and animal taxa. You will be expected to contribute to preparing research outputs for publication as well as overseeing and co-ordinating the day-to-day work of fieldwork assistants.</div><br> <div>&#160;</div><br> <div>The University of Oxford is committed to equality and valuing diversity. All applicants will be judged on merit, according to the selection criteria.</div><br> <div>&#160;</div><br> <div>This post is full time and available immediately for a fixed-term period until 31 October 2025 with the potential to extend to a 19-month tenure subject to funding. We will also consider applicants seeking part time work, a shorter contract term, or job-share arrangements. This will be discussed with applicants at interview and/or appointment where appropriate.</div><br> <div>&#160;</div><br> <div>Informal enquiries should be addressed to Prof Owen Lewis (owen.lewis@biology.ox.ac.uk).</div><br> <div>&#160;</div><br> <div>The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Tuesday 25 June 2024. Interviews are likely to be scheduled for early July 2024.</div> </div>