Grade and Salary: Grade 7 (£37, 694 - £47,389)
FTE and working pattern: Full-time (35 hours per week), Fixed Term for 5 Years
Holiday Entitlement: 33days annual leaveplus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)
Purpose of Role
The Orkney‘demonstrator’projectis part of the HorizonfundedprogrammeIsla Bonita: Supporting Managing Authorities to Restore the Oceans and Waters on Islands. In line with the European Ocean Pact,Isla Bonita has the overall aim to make the ocean, and waters become islandcommunities’ bestally.It will do this by supporting island managing Authorities to drive systemic transitions including relevantclimate resilience. Island managing Authorities, will co-developa range ofdemonstration projects, includinga range ofNature Based Solutions (NBS),into a portfolio with broad applicability.
Part 1:
European oystersonce formed significant biogenic reefs, delivering importantecosystem services to coastal communities such as habitatprovision, water filtration, carbonstorageand coastalprotection.These important reefs are now collapsed (usingIUCN criteria)mostlydue tooverfishingin the 1800’s.The Orkney Demonstrator will restore oyster reefs using at least three different reeftypes in 10 x 10m patcheswhilstevaluating andoptimisingthehabitatcreation.Shell waste will be repurposed to createtheoyster patchreefsand theoyster survival and biodiversity benefits willdemonstratethe most cost-effective enhanced design. A plan for scaling-up locally and nationallywill beproduced.
Part 2:
Whenlost, creels madefrom non-biodegradable materials remain intactfor decades and continue to capture marine animals (ghost fishing)and contribute to marine plastic pollution. This combined with otherplastics is a growing problem for Orkney.The technologyto improveAbandonedLost orDiscardedFishingGear(ALDFG)retrieval from the seabed willbedemonstratedand optimised working with local fishers toidentifyareas with high losses of creels. Litter retrievalinnovations will include using marine drones fitted withappropriate toolsto allow gear to besubsequentlyhauledonboard retrieving vessels. Recovered creels will be repaired as necessary and re-used for further fishing.
International Centre for Island Technology
Innovation & Research Associate - Isla Bonita employer: Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
Heriot-Watt University is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation within the Creative Environments team. With generous benefits including 33 days of annual leave and a commitment to employee growth through research leadership and teaching opportunities, this role at our Scottish Borders campus provides a unique chance to shape the future of interior architecture education while contributing to impactful community projects and international research networks.
Contact Details:
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Recruitment Team
