Postdoctoral Research Assistant

Your mission

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Marine Biology/Ecology with specialised experience in marine mammal acoustics. The successful candidate will assist OSC’s Managing Director Dr. Victoria Todd in completing scientific peer-reviewed papers for submission to top journals. This role requires expertise in coding (MATLAB and R), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), statistical modelling, high-level scientific interpretation and analysis of all forms of marine ecological data, and a proven track record of peer-reviewed publications.

Your profile

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with Dr. Victoria Todd to finalise and submit a diverse range of pre-existing (>60) scientific manuscripts (in various stages of completion) to peer-reviewed journals;
• Range of scientific fields, include inter alia, C-PODs/F-PODs, new records for marine fauna & birds, sublittoral ecology & taxonomy, MMO and PAM data, killer whale vocal repertoires, underwater noise characterisation, distance sampling, DEPONS, iPCoD, PCAD, BRUVs, ROVs, net-environmental gain, rigs-to-reefs, literature reviews, terrestrial carnivores, wildlife camera trap data, and bat & insect ecology, etc.
• Format and submit papers to high-end scientific journals and deal with peer-reviewers’ comments;
• Peer-review manuscripts on behalf of Dr. Todd under her supervision;
• Contribution to content of the second edition of the MMO & PAM Handbook;
• Conduct advanced statistical modelling and data analysis;
• Utilise the latest analytical tools to analyse and present all forms of marine biological data sets;
• Analyse and interpret all forms of marine ecological data sets, especially marine mammal acoustic data;
• Contribute to avant garde experimental design and implementation of research projects;
• Funding applications;
• Prepare and present research findings at conferences and seminars;
• Assist in the supervision and mentoring of graduate students and research assistants; and,
• Ensure compliance with all OSC’s relevant ethical policies, guidelines, and regulations.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Marine Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field – candidates without a PhD will not be considered for this role;
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, including at least three first-author peer-reviewed papers;
• Demonstrated experience with marine mammal acoustics;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Commercially minded;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; and,
• Legal eligibility to work in the UK.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience with marine fieldwork and data collection;
• Proficiency with GIS and statistical modelling software (e.g., R, Python, QGIS, MATLAB, etc.);
• Knowledge of marine conservation and management practices;
• Proficiency in additional data analysis tools (e.g. machine learning statistical methods such as GLM, GAM, GAMM, etc.) and programming languages;

Application Process:

 Interested candidates should submit the following documents:

• A cover letter detailing their research experience and suitability for the role;
• A current CV including a list of publications; and,
• Contact information for three professional references.

Why us?

OSC is an Equal Opportunities Employer. The company offers benefits such as health insurance, remote working, and opportunities for career progression. Personal development is encouraged, and employees may get the opportunity to be involved in company research projects.

OSC’s core ethos is striving to maintain professional integrity, by building an inclusive and diverse unit. If you do not match the job description, we still encourage your application, as we are open to support your professional development. OSC is expanding rapidly, and we are good at customising roles to reflect individual skills.

Please submit your CV and cover letter through OSC’s careers portal here. There will be a written task as part of the interview process.

About us

Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC) is a technology-focused marine science company involved principally in providing environmental services worldwide. OSC specialises in marine mammal and underwater-sound monitoring, acoustical and statistical modelling, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) surveys, and image-data analyses, and is currently expanding its services portfolio. OSC has a track record for providing environmental monitoring (mitigation for regulatory compliance) and scientific research (field studies and experiments) for a large clientele and range of marine industries.