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Applications are invited for the above fixed term (9 months), full-time post. The candidate will be employed by Bangor University but will be primarily based working with the Devon and Severn IFCA (D&S IFCA) on a collaborative project.

The successful candidate will be working on a collaborative project within the Bangor University fisheries science team. The project aims to gather data on the crab and lobster fisheries of England and Wales to inform fisheries Management Plans under the new Fisheries Act. The project works in collaboration with the fishing industry to gather data and evidence that will be used to inform sustainable management practices.

The successful candidate will have a Degree in a Marine Biology related field (or equivalent).

The successful candidate will be expected to commence as soon as possible.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post.

This role will primarily be located within the D&S IFCA district. Short periods of time in the School of Ocean Sciences will be supported through a travel and subsistence budget. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.

Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.

Closing date for applications: 08 May 2023

Committed To Equal Opportunities

Overview

The School of Ocean Sciences (SOS), located on the Isle of Anglesey, is a multidisciplinary department with a focus on coastal and shelf sea sciences and a strong history of international research excellence and collaboration. Core research interests include oceanography, marine biology and ecology, aquaculture & fisheries, biogeochemistry and climate change science. The D&S IFCA is the largest of the ten separate IFCA districts and has two separate coastlines. The area of the District is 4522km². Research and survey work conducted by D&S IFCA informs evidence bases subsequently used to manage fishing activities via the introduction of local management measures that can include legislation in the form of Byelaws and Byelaw Permit Conditions. D&S IFCA works in collaboration with other organisations to conduct research work and also takes environmental advice from Natural England (NE). D&S IFCA's research and survey work (and external research and advice) also informs longer term management that can be achieved via the permitting byelaws that contain flexible permit conditions

The Project

The successful candidate will be working on a large project funded through the Fishing Industry Science Partnership fund “Filling the gap in crustacean evidence for English and Welsh FMPs”. The project brings together Bangor University, D&SIFCA, Seafish, Welsh Fishermen’s Association, Devon and Channel Shellfishermen’s Association, UK Crab and Lobster Management Group, Natural Resources Wales and the Marine Management Organisation. The project aims to support the development and delivery of English and Welsh FMPs for data-limited brown crab and European lobster fisheries by addressing common evidence gaps critical to the development of robust stock assessments and evidence-based management regimes.

Purpose of the Job

This short-term contract will support work package three in the project which will research how to define soft-shelled brown crab in a practical, enforceable method. The Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967 prohibits the landing of soft-shelled crab (unless it is used for bait), but without a clear definition or assessment tool this is difficult or impossible to enforce. In addition the post will be involved in sea going observer work collecting catch and biological data for use in other work packages in the project.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Will report to Dr Natalie Hold (Bangor University) and Sarah Clarke (D&IFCA).
Will provide general ecological and logistics support in the field.
The post holder will be responsible for organising field sampling trips in collaboration with the local fishing industry, preparing and maintaining equipment, data processing and analysis, processing samples at sea and on shore, and in the laboratory.
The post holder will work with D&S IFCA officers to ensure consistency in data collection on sampling trips around D&S IFCA’s district.
Assist in engagement with fisher and other stakeholders, including working with local processors and organising fisher workshops.
Will support the wider research team in delivery of other related research projects.

The post holder will need to be flexible to work unsociable hours when needed and must be able and prepared to work at sea on small and large vessels

Other Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/her self and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

Essential

Degree in a marine biology related field (or equivalent).

Desirable

Master’s degree in a marine biology related field (or equivalent).

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

Evidence of sampling at sea on scientific surveys and from commercial fishing vessels, preferably within fisheries science.
Evidence of working within a research team and providing research support.
Evidence of stakeholder engagement and working wider than academia.
Demonstrate an understanding of UK crab and lobster fisheries.

Desirable

Experience in spatial mapping and data analysis using ArcGIS or R.

Skills/Abilities

Essential

Excellent communication skills across disciplines and sectors.
Demonstrate good computer skills, including MS Office, Powerpoint, Excel, GIS and the statistical software R.

Other

Essential

Driving licence or ability to demonstrate alternative method to fulfil travel requirements of the post. It is not possible for public transport in Devon to fulfil the travel requirements for this research.
Must have or be able to pass the STCW 95 sea survival and ENG1 medical.
Demonstrate an understanding of the bilingual nature of the institution and area, and the ensuing responsibilities.

General

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.

We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.

All candidates must meet the requirements of UK ‘right to work’ requirements *** If you require Home Office permission to work in the UK, or need to switch your visa status in order to take this job we recommend you use the following link to information about the routes into employment and to check eligibility requirements: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

Please note that we are unable to employ anyone who does not have the right to live and work in the UK legally. When applying for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will be able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful.

Candidates should also note that they may be required to apply for an ATAS certificate (Academic Approval Technology Scheme) from the Counter-Proliferation and Arms Control Centre of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before being able to apply for a visa - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme

Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University's Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.