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Full time
Fixed term for 24 months

The closing date for applications is midnight on Thursday 13 April 2023.
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing Monday 24 April 2023.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a postdoctoral role under SOC code 2119.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position to work on an interdisciplinary research project “Addressing the ability of marine aquaculture to respond to climate change using systems thinking and precision-based frameworks”, funded through the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF) Programme. The overall research aim of this £1.5 million project is to deliver a rigorous scientific framework for assessing impact of climate change on marine aquaculture using systems thinking and precision-based information. The project is highly interdisciplinary, covering aspects of climate, environmental, biological, and social science.

This Postdoctoral Research Fellow position focuses onthe adaptive capacity of the salmon sector to climate change. It is suited to a researcher with a background in social science and analysing trade-offs, decisions, and choices. The emphasis will be salmon aquaculture in Scotland and Norway, although other marine aquaculture producing countries will also be included in some analyses. Previous research experience in aquaculture is not essential. The post will be based in Stirling and the successful candidate will also work with project partners and key stakeholders in the UK and internationally.

The successful candidate will work alongside other researchers in the interdisciplinary project team to use industry and research data, stakeholder consultation (interviews, workshopsetc) and analysis of literature to establish a knowledge base of industry trends and implications for adaptive capacity. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow willlead the development and use of probabilistic modelling approaches (e.g. Bayesian belief networks) to analyse the trade-offs between different approaches to climate change adaptation in Scottish and Norwegian salmon aquaculture.

Informal inquiries are welcome and should be directed to Dr Lynne Falconer, Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences ([email protected]).

This position will focus on the potential impacts of climate change on salmon aquaculture, and the potential adaptation responses that are, or could be, available.

The main responsibilities of the post holder will be:

• Lead a PESTLE analysis for salmon aquaculture
• Lead the development and use of models (e.g., probabilistic graphical models, Bayesian networks) to explore potential climate change adaptation decisions in salmon aquaculture
• Lead the development of a model to investigate trade-offs between decisions on adaptation strategies
• Work with the project team and partners in Scotland and internationally to collect, collate, process, and analyse a wide range of complex data from diverse sources
• Write and contribute to publications and disseminate research findings using other appropriate media
• Deliver presentations at conferences, project meetings, stakeholder engagement workshops, and other relevant events
• Co-supervise undergraduate and postgraduate student research projects
• Support organisation of project meetings and stakeholder engagement events
• Undertake other appropriate project-related duties as required

• A PhD in social science, or a topic relevant to the post
• Experience modelling complex systems and trade-offs (e.g. using probabilistic graphical models or other approaches)
• Expertise in use of modelling programmes and software to evaluate trade-offs and decisions (e.g. HUGIN (www.hugin.com) or equivalent)
• Experience working with a range of stakeholders (interviews, surveys, workshops etc)
• Evidence of working in an interdisciplinary environment
• Evidence of self-motivation and the ability to work independently
• Evidence of being able to work as part of a team
• Excellent time management skills including ability to prioritise workload

• Experience in marine environmental or aquaculture research
• Experience in climate change research
• Track record of research publications in areas relevant to the post

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Faculty of Natural Sciences

The Faculty of Natural Sciences (FNS) encompasses the Divisions of Biologicaland Environmental Sciences, Computing Scienceand Mathematics, Psychology and the Institute of Aquaculture. FNS is a distinctive academic arena where new fundamental understandings of the complex and challenging inter-relationships between human behaviours, technologies, biologicaland environmental systems are created, explored and tested. The most recent national assessment of research - REF2021 -confirmed that 80% ofour research is classed as world leading and internationally excellent. It is supported through UK Research Councils, European Union and a range of research charities We work with businesses and public service organisations both at home and overseas to achieve direct and positive outcomes for society across a range of critical problems. Substantial investment aligned with the City, Region, and Growth deals is supporting major new infrastructure developments linked to the Faculty including Scotland's International Environment Centre and the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub.

Aquaculture

We are a global leader in aquaculture research and teaching, supporting the development of aquaculture worldwide. In REF2021 the Institute ranked first in the UK for impact in the field of Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science with 100% of its research having outstanding impact. Our world-class researchers pioneer aquaculture as a solution to the challenges of feeding a growing global population. We're driven by our belief in aquaculture helping to create a world without hunger. Our expert staff, facilities and networks make us the first choice for research partners from across the globe. We have academics working across research groups focused onreproduction, genetics, aquatic animal health and welfare, nutrition, production systems, environments, markets, and social and economic impacts. We havecollaborative research and training partnerships and links with many other leading academic institutions, and industry partners throughout Europe and overseas. We also offer a long-established and successful research service to support the development of new technology. The recent City Deal investment will provide four aquatic research facilities to cover the full range of marine environmental conditions.

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4thin Scotland and 43rdin the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021). Interdisciplinary in its approach, Stirling’s research informs its teaching curriculum and facilitates opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration between staff, students, industry partners and the wider community.

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 10 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 120 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The campus – also home to 1,700 staff – has its own loch and castle, and a recent multi-million-pound redevelopment has delivered modern, flexible, and digitally connected study and social spaces at the heart of campus, including enhanced student support and retail and catering outlets.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019). Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence and its recently redeveloped world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

As a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, the University is driving productivity and inclusive growth across the Forth Valley, and beyond. Through pioneering collaborative solutions to global challenges, researchers are putting innovation, skills, and partnership at the heart of a sustainable economic recovery.
www.stir.ac.uk@stiruni