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Postdoctoral Research Assistant: Heated Settlement Panels

Please quote ref no: BAS 47/13
Closing date for applications: 12 May 2013

Main Description

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS), part of the Natural Environment Research Council, aims to undertake a world-class programme of scientific research, and to sustain for the UK an active and influential regional presence and a leadership role in Antarctic affairs.

This post is part of a 3 year funded NERC project to investigate the impact of warming on the formation and development of fowling communities in Antarctica. It offers a unique opportunity to collect data on the vulnerability of some of the most temperature sensitive marine animals, in the face of rapid climate warming. The position involves extensive SCUBA diving to deploy an array of settlement panels that are heated to +1 and +2°C above ambient controls (50 and 100 year warming scenarios). Experience of commercial/scientific diving is therefore highly desirable. The post holder will be required to take high resolution photographs, using professional underwater camera equipment. These will be used to identify settling propagules to species level and to monitor how these communities develop.

The post holder is expected to have a good working knowledge of identification keys and community analysis. Knowledge of marine animal husbandry and aquarium maintenance will be an advantage.

The post involves a minimum of 2 years at the British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station, Antarctica and is expected to result in several high impact scientific publications. As a PDRA, the post holder will be expected to play a role in planning, organisation, and implementation of this research programme whilst also supporting a diverse range of marine science projects and base activities, particularly during the summer months. The post holder will be required to work closely with other wintering marine scientists, other station personnel and team members based in Cambridge.

Qualifications: PhD in Marine Biology/Aquatic Ecology

Experienced diver (minimum 100 logged dives ) capable of passing HSE commercial diving course before deployment to Antarctica

Duration: 36 months fixed term appointment

Salary: £21,037

On-line application forms and further information are available on our website at www.antarctica.ac.uk/employment

These are also available from the Human Resources Section, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET. Tel: (01223) 221508.

Please quote reference: BAS 47/13
Closing date for receipt of application forms is 12th May 2013
Interviews are scheduled to be held w/c 10th June 2013


We welcome applications from all sections of the community. People from ethnic minorities are currently under-represented and their applications are particularly welcome.
You will need to be physically capable and medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions.


Formal Description

Postdoctoral Research Assistant: Heated Settlement Panels
Ref No.: BAS 47/13
Closing Date: 12 May 2013

1. Job Title: Postdoctoral Research Assistant: Heated Settlement Panels
  Reference No: BAS 47/13
  Department: Biological Life Sciences
  Line Manager:
  Contract Type: Antarctic Employment Pool (AEP) – minimum 36 month contract

2. Location:
Antarctica - Rothera

3. Purpose:
This post is part of a 3 year funded NERC project to investigate the impact of warming on the formation and development of fowling communities in Antarctica. It offers a unique opportunity to collect data on the vulnerability of some of the most temperature sensitive marine animals, in the face of rapid climate warming. The position involves extensive SCUBA diving to deploy an array of settlement panels that are heated to +1 and +2°C above ambient controls (50 and 100 year warming scenarios). Experience of commercial/scientific diving is therefore highly desirable. The post holder will be required to take high resolution photographs, using professional underwater camera equipment. These will be used to identify settling propagules to species level and to monitor how these communities develop. The post holder is expected to have a good working knowledge of identification keys and community analysis. Knowledge of marine animal husbandry and aquarium maintenance will be an advantage. The post involves a minimum of 2 years at the British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station, Antarctica and is expected to result in several high impact scientific publications. As a PDRA, the post holder will be expected to play a role in planning, organisation, and implementation of this research programme whilst also supporting a diverse range of marine science projects and base activities, particularly during the summer months. The post holder will be required to work closely with other wintering marine scientists, other station personnel and team members based in Cambridge.

4. Duties:
• To organise and implement the proposed research programme, which involves:
1. Deploying and maintaining an array of underwater, heated settlement panels
2. Extensive photography, microscopy and the use of identification keys
3. Ecological community analysis
4. Preserving samples for genetic analysis back in Cambridge
5. Designing experimental protocols to maintain communities in carefully controlled aquarium treatments
6. Preparation of manuscripts for publication in high impact journals
• To play an active role as a member of the marine team, being involved in a diverse range of marine projects

Due to the remote location in the Antarctic strong organisational and interpersonal skills are required for this post

Skills Specification

Postdoctoral Research Assistant: Heated Settlement Panels
Ref No.: BAS 47/13
Closing Date: 12 May 2013

Characteristics Essential Requirements
Importance rating in parenthesis
  Desirable Requirements
Importance rating in parenthesis
Communication skillsa) oral skillsb) written skills
* Fluent in written and spoken English language  
 
Computer / IT skills
* Word processing, spreadsheet literate  
 
Decision Making
* Self management within the requirements of the wider team  
 
Interpersonal skills
* Ability to live and work within a small team at Rothera which fits within a larger team in Cambridge  
 
Managerial ability
* Self manage within the framework of a dynamic team  
 
Numerical ability
* Ability to handle complex data sets  
 
Other Factors
* Physically capable and medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions  
 
Qualifications
* Experience of report writing  
* Experience of identifying benthic fouling communities  
* Experience of underwater photography  
* Experienced diver (minimum 100 logged dives ) capable of passing HSE commercial diving course before deployment to Antarctica  
 
Resource Management ability
* Flexible approach to problem solving  
* Ability to plan up to a year ahead to fit with schedules  
 
Skills / Experience
* PhD in Marine Biology/Aquatic Ecology  
 
* Experience of publishing peer reviewed papers (2)
* Experience of remote environments (4)
* Proof of full facemask experience (3)
* Knowledge of community statistics (e.g. PRIMER,R package Vegan) (2)
* Small boat handling experience (3)
* Knowledge of sample preservation for genomic analysis (2)
* 50 cold water dives and dry suit experience (1)
* HSE SCUBA (part IV) or Advanced European Scientific Diver (1)