Overview

  • WWT Slimbridge (fieldwork at WWT Welney)
  • Conservation Science
  • £25,210 per annum
  • Initial 20 month contract, with a view to longer-term extension
  • 37.5 hours per week (5-day week) with considerable flexible working during fieldwork periods

WWT has a great track record in wildlife translocation; we have recently reintroduced Eurasian cranes to Somerset, and they are now nesting in western Britain for the first time in 400 years. Internationally, we lead the ground-breaking headstarting programme for the Critically Endangered spoon-billed sandpiper, and the reintroduction programme for the world’s rarest duck, the Madagascar pochard. We are now embarking on a translocation programme for black-tailed godwits in eastern England, and are making plans for further projects in the UK.

WWT’s Conservation Science Department is seeking an energetic and innovative scientist to produce and publish high quality science that describes our conservation breeding and translocation work, and help sets the global agenda in reintroduction science.

You will be responsible for implementing and reporting the post-release monitoring programme for black-tailed godwits in eastern England as part of our ground-breaking new EU LIFE project (LIFE blackwit UK – Recovering and securing the future of the globally Near Threatened black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa) in the UK). You will also lead the scientific reporting of the Great Crane Project, analysing the progress of the reintroduced population. You will get involved in a strategic assessment of the future options for WWT’s UK conservation breeding work: a great opportunity to think innovatively about potential approaches to wildlife translocation. There are strong networking opportunities: the projects involve partnership with scientists from other NGOs and universities, and attendance at scientific conferences will also be encouraged.

You will have a PhD in a biological subject or equivalent expertise, with experience of ecological fieldwork, statistical analysis and population biology and a track record in scientific publishing. You will be an enthusiastic conservationist, with an innovative scientific mind and an ability to work alongside colleagues from multiple organisations.

WWT’s rapidly growing Conservation Directorate comprises 38 staff, working nationally and internationally to deliver the Trust’s strategy, from threatened species conservation to wetland ecosystem services. Our 10 postdoctoral scientists and 11 PhD students deliver scientific support to the programme, in collaboration with universities and research institutes.

The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is a conservation charity that protects wetlands for wildlife and people. For 70 years we have been pioneers in saving threatened wetland wildlife across the globe and are experts in wetland management and creation. We work with communities living among some of the most vulnerable wetlands in the world, providing leadership and influence to create a sustainable future for our wetlands, their wildlife and the people who depend upon them. We believe that showing people first-hand how extraordinary wetlands are can ignite their passion to help us conserve them, so we provide amazing experiences at our unique UK wetland centres for over one million visitors every year.

In return for your hard work and dedication you’ll enjoy a wide range of benefits including:

  • 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service
  • Contributory pension scheme (conditions apply)
  • Life assurance
  • Free parking
  • Child care voucher scheme
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Free entry to all our centres

For more information, and to apply for the role, please visit https://jobs.wwt.org.uk/vacancies/923/ConsCa/senior_research_officer_species_recovery/

Closing date: 29th October 2017

Interview date: Early November – to be confirmed

Registered Charity Number England & Wales, no 1030884 and Scotland, no SC039410