The School of Ocean Sciences has an international reputation in multi and interdisciplinary research in the areas of earth system science, climate change and marine conservation and resource management.
Over 95% of our outputs were ranked as world leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. Bangor’s research is changing the world in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences and is 1st in the UK for the impact of its research. With one of the largest groups of environmental scientists in the UK, our research is ranked sixth in the UK and 1st in Wales for research power.
Applications are invited for the permanent, full-time post working in the School of Ocean Sciences, College of Science and Engineering.
The successful candidate will be expected to develop their own program of research in Marine Top Predator Ecology and Conservation, actively contribute to the School’s interdisciplinary ethos, and utilize the wide range of expertise available throughout the School, College, and wider University. Working locally, regionally, and internationally, the postholder will build links with Welsh and UK-wide industry, coastal communities and governments, and international organizations to inform policy development and sustainable resource management. The successful candidate will develop and maintain a research portfolio, supervise postgraduate research students, and can take advantage of the School’s world-class breadth of research equipment. This includes state-of-the art laboratory facilities, a fleet of small boats, and the RV Prince Madog, a 35 m offshore research vessel which distinguishes Bangor amongst UK Universities.
Teaching and administrative duties will include research and teaching of marine science at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels across a range of modules.
The successful candidate will be educated to PhD level in Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Marine Zoology, Fisheries, Marine Conservation, or related subject.
The successful candidate will be expected to commence as soon as possible.
The Project
Marine top predators, such as sharks and rays, large teleost fish, turtles, seabirds, seals and sea lions, polar bears, and cetaceans influence the structure and dynamics of food webs. They are typically wide ranging and depend on patchy prey which are closely tied/linked to a dynamic physical marine environment. Therefore, an understanding of how marine top predator populations associate with the marine environment is crucial for their conservation. However, researching and monitoring these often inconspicuous animals that spend part or all of their lives underwater requires specialist field, technological and quantitative approaches that considers their unique physiology, behavior, in parallel with their marine environment.
Purpose of the Job
- To teach at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including tutorials and supervision of research projects.
- To conduct research of an international standard in a relevant field, with substantial evidence of quality and international peer recognition.
- To develop and maintain research networks and collaboration with stakeholders in government and industry.
- To provide pastoral and academic support to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- To conduct administrative tasks as designated by the Head of School.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Teaching duties will include:
- Plan, prepare and deliver lectures and tutorials, responding effectively to a variety of student backgrounds, learning styles and class sizes.
- Motivate students to proactive engagement in learning and provide meaningful and constructive feedback on the quality of their work.
- Keep abreast of new professional, educational and related social, economic, and technological developments.
- Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate projects.
- Act as personal tutor to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- To participate and plan the development of new teaching and learning materials.
- To initiate and take forward the development of new programs, including the new MSc in Marine Top Predator Ecology.
Research duties will include:
- Personal research, and/or collaborative research with colleagues in the School, across the College, University and externally.
- Secure funding for, and build a research team conducting, research in Marine Top Predator Ecology and Conservation.
- Management of research projects including PhD supervision. Disseminate and publish results of research in high quality peer-reviewed journals.
- Work towards developing world leading research impact.
- Contribute towards the School’s capability to attract diverse sources of external research funding.
- Engage in scholarly and other relevant professional activities.
- Supervision of research students and research assistants.
Administrative and Wider Contribution duties will include:
- Participate in the student recruitment and induction procedures of the School (e.g., School and University Open Days)
- Contribute to the promotion and external profile of the School.
- Contribute to the School’s management and participate in the administration of undergraduate and postgraduate programs (e.g., organization of exams, contribute to accreditation/QA procedures (if module coordinator)).
- Contribute to the marketing of programs by participating in School and College link activities and other marketing initiatives.
- Undertake an active role in mentoring less experienced members of staff within the College/School.
- Undertake other administrative duties and responsibilities as directed by the Head of School (e.g., membership of School boards and task groups, addressing/supporting undergraduate and post graduate student experience, peer review of student research proposals, contributing to community engagement).
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’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.
- The post holder will have 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 themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures, and risk assessments. vThe 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 post.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- E1: PhD in Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Marine Zoology, Fisheries, Marine Conservation, or related subject.
- E2: Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCertHE) or equivalent OR Recognized by the HEA as a Fellow/Recognized by Advance HE as a Fellow against Descriptor 2 of the UKPSF OR some teaching experience and willing to work to achieve the PGCertHE or HEA Fellowship within the first two years of employment.
Desirable
- D1: Professional accreditation OR Graduate Diploma/Certificate in a relevant subject area
Experience/Knowledge
TEACHING
Essential
- E3: Capability to effectively teach a wide range of topics in Marine Biology, with a focus on quantitative approaches to the ecology and conservation of marine top predator populations.
Desirable
- D2: Experience of teaching practical marine biology in the laboratory and field (including small boat/ship-based work).
- D3: Experience of module development and delivery in higher education.
- D4: Experience of supervising undergraduate and postgraduate projects.
- D5: Evidence of contribution to the wider student experience e.g., in recruitment/retention initiatives, in employability/enterprise initiatives, student welfare.
RESEARCH
Essential
- E4: Experience of the fundamentals of marine top-predator ecology and conservation with a focus on how marine top predators, such as sharks and rays, large teleost fish, turtles, seabirds, seals and sea lions, polar bears, and cetaceans influence the structure and dynamics of food webs.
- E5: Understanding of approaches and techniques and analysis of resulting large data sets in order to support ecological understanding and conservation strategies of marine top predators.
- E6: Proven experience of scientific assessments, management interventions and conservation planning for marine top predators which could be through data collection, statistical modelling or through synthesis of literature.
- E7: Proven ability to develop and lead research teams.
- E8: Track record of research excellence in marine top predator ecology and conservation demonstrated through high-quality publications in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and impact, commensurate with experience.
- E9: Proven experience to attract external funding for research.
Desirable
- D6: Demonstration of experience of effective stakeholder, policy, government and industry engagement.
- D7: Field, ship and small boat-based assessment.
- D8: Having worked in interdisciplinary settings.
Skills/Abilities
Essential
- E10: Ability to demonstrate innovative and exciting approaches to teaching and research.
- E11: Ability to lead and work effectively as part of a team and to prioritize workload and work to deadlines.
- E12: Excellent verbal and written skills.
- E13: Experience of conducting administrative duties efficiently and effectively.
- E14: Demonstrable numeric and general computer skills e.g., Microsoft Office.
- E15: An understanding of the bilingual nature of the institution and the area, candidates will be expected to work positively in a bilingual environment.
Desirable
- D9: Evidence of successful external networking and profile-raising.
- D10: Administrative and organizational experience, related to academic development or equivalent.v
- D11: Demonstrated ability to use GIS in marine applications, experience in using the statistical package R.
- D12: The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable for this post.
This role will be located on campus at Bangor and Menai Bridge. 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.
Salary: £45,585 - £54,395
Closing date: November 27, 2023.
