Farmland Research Manager

This permanent, full-time post, will work within the Terrestrial Ecology Team, reporting to Head of Terrestrial Ecology, Dr Gavin Siriwardena. The team’s work includes pure and applied research into terrestrial ecology, considering birds and other taxa. The team has particular expertise in farmland, woodland and urban ecology, working across the UK with the BTO’s volunteer-collected datasets, bespoke volunteer surveys and professional fieldwork. Recent research projects have included work on agri-environment scheme design and effects on birds and other taxa, analyses of Garden Bird Watch data, surveys of breeding waders of wet meadows and modelling of the effects of land-use change on bird populations. Much of this work is funded by and provides advice to government, contributing to national conservation policy, and is published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.

The post-holder will be responsible, working with others in the team, for managing farmland-focused field survey, review and analytical projects, including line management of professional fieldworkers. Depending on skills and experience, and the needs of individual projects, the post will include proposal-writing, scientific reporting, literature review, data analysis/modelling and field surveys, but the main focus of the role is to manage research project work. This includes new and future, short-term projects that offer opportunities for leading roles, as well as contributing to existing/ongoing work, such as major professional farmland monitoring programmes in Wales and Northern Ireland. Most of these projects will be related to the monitoring and evaluation of agri-environment and land management schemes across the UK.

The successful applicant will need to have a PhD or MSc in ecology or other related area, or equivalent experience., This position is based at our HQ in Thetford, Norfolk, although you will be able to work from home part of the time on a hybrid working regime and flexible start and finish times can also be accommodated to ensure a good work-life balance.

• £32,640 per annum

• Annual leave entitlement on starting is 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata if part time).

• Paid ‘journey days’ (up to 2 days) to staff who travel on holiday by land or sea instead of flying.

• Life assurance (four times salary)

• 11% employer pension contribution

• Employee Assistance Programme offering help and advice to staff and their families on matters related to bereavement, wellbeing, finances, relationships, family and more. This includes a number of free counselling sessions if they are needed.

• Enhanced sick pay

• Enhanced Family leave- Maternity, Adoption, and Shared Parental Leave, 12 weeks at full pay. Paternity and Partner leave, 4 weeks at full pay.

• Retail discounts

• Cycling friendly employer- gold accredited

• Cycle to work scheme- spread the cost of purchasing a new bike and save money

• Discounts on: BTO books, Bird care from Vine House Farm (10% discount on orders placed on the website) and Opticron (30% off)

• Free access to BTO training courses

• Flexible working- A combination of home and office working and flexible start and finish times (where this meets business needs)

• Free eye tests and a contribution of £49 towards prescription glasses for VDU use only.

• Free car parking

• Effective job evaluation policy that recognises where staff increase their level of responsibility over time

• Coaching and mentoring scheme

• Staff groups and forums- First Aiders and mental health first aiders, Coaching and mentoring, Diversity working, Sustainability and Natural Working, Becoming Inclusive, and our staff group creating a positive and welcoming culture to work in.

• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment

• Commitment to sustainability