Research Fellow (Global Biodiversity) in Manchester

Research Fellow (Global Biodiversity) in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 35000 - 45000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Manchester Metropolitan University

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative research in global biodiversity and contribute to conservation efforts.
  • Company: Join Manchester Met, a top-ranked institution for impactful environmental research.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, excellent pension, and a three-year development programme.
  • Other info: Collaborate with leading researchers and access mentorship for career growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in biodiversity while advancing your research career.
  • Qualifications: PhD in a relevant field with post-doctoral experience and strong research skills.

The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.

Applications are invited for a 3-year research fellowship position in Global Biodiversity in the Department of Natural Sciences at Manchester Met. The Department spans the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science and Geography and is a thriving hub of interdisciplinary research focused on tackling global challenges associated with clean energy, environmental change and sustainability, species conservation, healthy ageing, and socioeconomic, cultural and political change. The Department ranked 5th for the real-world impact of our research in the Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences category of the UK’s most recent Research Excellence Framework review.

This 3-year Fellowship in Global Biodiversity has been created to support existing internationally renowned biodiversity researchers in the Department of Natural Sciences. Specifically, it will explore the underlying drivers of the evolution of functional traits and their relevance to macro-ecology and conservation.

Benefits

  • Exceptional research environment and facilities to support your ambitions/research
  • Competitive salary, excellent pension and holiday entitlement, enhanced family leave and more
  • Access to a three-year development programme, which will be underpinned by the Leadership Lens on the Vitae Researcher Development Framework
  • Mentorship throughout the programme and access to coaching sessions
  • Diverse teams, colleagues and staff networks

Candidate Expectations

We expect candidates to come with a vision for a research programme that complements research activity at Manchester Met. Outline ideas of no more than 2 pages must be included in your covering letter and will be discussed at interview; however, the successful candidate will be able to refine their approach and focus with input from relevant researchers in the department. During the term of the fellowship, you will be publishing internationally excellent and world-leading outputs and will be pursuing external funding opportunities to realise your future research ambitions. You will also have the opportunity, when relevant, to prepare and deliver short teaching courses. Whilst this is initially a fixed-term appointment, the expectation is that this will transition to a permanent Senior Lecturer or Readership role, after three years, dependent on your performance and potential.

About the Role & Team

You will join a team of evolutionary biologists and ecologists and will be expected to become an active member of the Species Biology and Conservation group within our identified area of research strength in Biodiversity and Environmental Resilience, led by Dr Hannah Mossman. Staff with whom we expect you to work closely and provide support for your project and career development include:

  • Dr Charlotte Brassey
  • Dr Joachim Frommen
  • Dr Robyn Grant
  • Dr Alex Lees
  • Prof Martin Sullivan

Key Responsibilities

The main purpose of this role is to lead in the development of quality research in the field of global biodiversity by preparing, conducting and recording the outcome of research, experiments and/or field work and analysing, interpreting, and disseminating findings to appropriate groups. This will involve leading the development of new areas in the field of species diversification, organismal traits and applied conservation and promoting the wider work of the team and institution. Whilst the primary responsibility of the candidate is to deliver the research project agreed with the research team, some opportunities to contribute to teaching and enhance your practice will be available, although these will be limited to a maximum of 6 hours per week to enable you to primarily focus on your research project.

Key Skills & Experiences

You will have a PhD in a relevant discipline and some post-doctoral experience. Together these should enable you to demonstrate depth of global biodiversity knowledge and a track record of professional development. You will be proficient in the use of relevant software and data management techniques linked to your proposed project. More generally, you should have experience of developing collaborative relationships and preparing funding applications to external bodies as well as publishing your own research.

Equal Opportunity & Disability

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from local and international communities, including those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy.

Research Fellow (Global Biodiversity) in Manchester employer: Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester Metropolitan University is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant research environment that fosters innovation and collaboration in the field of Global Biodiversity. With a commitment to professional development through a comprehensive three-year programme, competitive salary, and excellent benefits, employees are supported in their career growth while contributing to impactful research that addresses pressing global challenges. The inclusive work culture and diverse teams further enhance the experience, making it an ideal place for passionate researchers to thrive.

Manchester Metropolitan University

Contact Details:

Manchester Metropolitan University Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Research Fellow (Global Biodiversity) in Manchester

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at Manchester Met, especially those in the Department of Natural Sciences. A friendly chat can give us insights into the team culture and what they’re really looking for in a candidate.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for your interview by diving deep into the research projects of the team. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but are genuinely excited about contributing to their ongoing work in biodiversity and conservation.

Tip Number 3

Don’t forget to showcase your vision! When discussing your research ideas, make sure to highlight how they align with the department’s goals. We want to see how you can complement and enhance their existing projects.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Research Fellow (Global Biodiversity) in Manchester

Research Skills
Field Work Experience
Data Analysis
Biodiversity Knowledge
Collaboration Skills
Funding Application Preparation
Publishing Research

Some tips for your application 🫡

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to outline your vision for a research programme that aligns with our work at Manchester Met. Keep it concise, ideally no more than 2 pages, and don’t forget to show your passion for global biodiversity.

Showcase Your Research Experience:We want to see your journey in the field of global biodiversity! Highlight your PhD and any post-doctoral experience, along with your track record in publishing and securing funding. This will help us understand how you can contribute to our team.

Be Clear About Your Ideas:When discussing your research ideas, be specific about the underlying drivers of functional traits and their relevance to macro-ecology and conservation. This clarity will help us see how your work complements our existing research.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Metropolitan University

Know Your Research Inside Out

Make sure you have a solid grasp of your proposed research programme. Be ready to discuss how it complements the existing work at Manchester Met and be prepared to refine your ideas based on feedback from the interview panel.

Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit

Highlight your experience in developing collaborative relationships. Discuss any previous projects where teamwork was key, especially in interdisciplinary settings, as this role involves working closely with evolutionary biologists and ecologists.

Prepare for Funding Conversations

Since pursuing external funding is part of the role, come equipped with examples of past funding applications you've worked on. Be ready to discuss your strategies for securing funding and how you plan to approach it in this new position.

Engage with the Team's Vision

Familiarise yourself with the work of Dr Hannah Mossman and her team. Show genuine interest in their research areas and be prepared to discuss how your work can contribute to their goals in biodiversity and environmental resilience.