Researcher - Wildlife Ecology

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and ambitious researcher with a demonstrable background in Terrestrial Wildlife Ecology and a strong interest in employing genetic methods to work with us to develop our research and collaborations in wildlife conservation, rewilding, forest management. Our ambition is to grow the research in Biodiversity and Conservation at UHI-Inverness, building on the Forestry and Conservation Group and the Rivers and Lochs Institute and integrating landscape scale approaches. You will contribute to the development of the research environment and the further growth of research capacity at UHI-Inverness, working closely with the Director of Research for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation. The post is on a 2 year Fixed-Term basis, with a possibility for extension.

UHI Inverness is one of the largest partners of the University of the Highlands and Islands, a partnership of 13 colleges and research institutions comprising Scotland’s newest university. UHI has a strong track record in excellent, impactful Environmental Research as demonstrated by the results of REF2021 where 80% of our outputs and 100% of our impact case studies submitted to the Environment and Earth Science panel were rated as internationally excellent or world leading. Research at UHI Inverness focuses on ecological and evolutionary research across freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems which addresses the biodiversity and climate emergencies.

As the UK’s leading tertiary education provider, we also deliver both further education and higher education courses and that makes us different from traditional institutions. Through an innovative approach to learning and some of the best online learning technologies, we offer our students the complete learner journey, where they have choice and flexibility to study from access level right through to PhD.

UHI Inverness is at the heart of the community. Working closely with businesses and stakeholders, our curriculum and research capacity is designed to meet the ever-evolving needs of industry and support the strengths and ambitions of the region. UHI Inverness has locations at Inverness Campus and also the Scottish School of Forestry (Balloch), a growing hub for research, innovation and enterprise set within a 215 acre site. 

Person specifications:

We are looking for an enthusiastic, suitably qualified, and dedicated team member with a demonstrable background in Wildlife or Terrestrial Ecology and a strong interest in employing genetic methods. The successful candidate will hold a PhD in Biology, Ecology or a closely related field and have a strong grasp of experimental design and ecological data analysis. This is an ideal opportunity for an early career researcher, who wants to develop their own research portfolio and an extension of the post is envisaged pending on success. Through our excellent links with local and national stakeholders you will be well placed to develop a network of research collaborations in areas such as Rewilding, Forestry Mnagament and Species Conservation.

For more details on key accountabilities, role requirements and essential skills, please refer to the detailed Job Description.

For informal enquiries regarding the nature of the position, contact Dr Bernd Hänfling (bernd.haenfling.ic@uhi.ac.uk) or Dr Euan Bowditch (euan.bowditch.ic@uhi.ac.uk)  

Further information on research at UHI Inverness is available at  Research - UHI Inverness

Please note: the successful post holder will need to pass a satisfactory PVG Scheme check through Disclosure Scotland prior to commencing employment.

Application Closing Date: 15^th July 2022

Shortlisting will take place on 18^th July 2022

Interviews week: commencing 25^th July 2022

UHI Inverness Recruitment Team contact details: 01463 273210 or Recruitment.ic@uhi.ac.uk

For further information about the role including job description and application form please visit the vacancies section of our website via the apply link.