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- Tasks: Lead the analysis and publication of garden bird data to drive conservation efforts.
- Company: Join RSPB, a leading charity dedicated to nature conservation in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a flexible work location, pension scheme, life assurance, and 26 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on wildlife conservation while working with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience in ecology, biology, or applied statistics required.
- Other info: This is a 2-year fixed-term role with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Senior Conservation Scientist – Ecological Analyst
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Senior Conservation Scientist – Ecological Analyst
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Join to apply for the Senior Conservation Scientist – Ecological Analyst role at RSPB
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This range is provided by RSPB. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
Senior Conservation Scientist – Ecological Analyst
Reference: AUG20257833
Location: Flexible in UK (Occasional Beds/Cambs travel)
Contract: 24 months Fixed Term
Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Benefits: Pension scheme (7%), Life Assurance scheme, 26 days\’ annual leave (plus bank holidays)
We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and skilled team-member to join the Monitoring Science team at the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science. We are seeking an experienced data scientist with a strong analytical, coding and data visualisation skills, to coordinate the development of Big Garden Birdwatch science for the next two years.
In addition, the postholder will contribute to the Centre’s overall role in establishing the scientific basis of RSPB policy and practice in nature conservation.
What\’s the role about?
The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch (BGBW) is a large-scale citizen science survey, with fixed protocols, which provides a snapshot of garden bird populations in winter. Originally launched as an annual activity for RSPB youth members in 1979, BGBW was opened to the wider public in 2001. Over a long weekend every January, participants survey their gardens for birds following a structured 1-hour count. With over 300,000 surveys now submitted annually, BGBW is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey.
The BGBW dataset now holds over seven million surveys, representing more than 300 million species counts and we are looking for a Senior Conservation Scientist to coordinate the design, development and publication of BGBW science. This unique new role will:
- build on the existing findings by the development of summary statistics and through spatiotemporal analysis of species counts and trends,
- unlock the power of this huge dataset to investigate ecological and environmental drivers of species trends and apply this knowledge to guide conservation action,
- publish findings in peer-reviewed journals,
- enhance participant engagement by investigating and implementing innovative data summary and visualisation tools and accessible and attractive scientific outputs,
- develop and implement an analytical pipeline to generate annual results and associated outputs,
- develop recommendations to inform and enhance the survey design and experience,
- collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure integration and impact.
Essential skills, knowledge and experience:
- You will have a PhD in a relevant subject (e.g. ecology, biology, geography, applied statistics) with a strong analytical focus, or equivalent experience, and substantial additional experience doing relevant research.
- You will have specialist and up-to-date knowledge of how to use and apply ecological models, such as time-series or spatiotemporal analysis, including complex analytical procedures, to enable innovative, robust analysis and interpretation to data.
- You will have strong coding skills, including fluency in R, high standards of reproducible research, experience producing analytical pipelines and ability to learn new approaches or languages.
- Knowledge of how to provide practical and scientific leadership and guidance in a particular scientific area.
- You will be self-motivated and able to work efficiently under pressure to meet deadlines, and prioritise your own working schedule. This necessitates the ability to plan and organise your own work.
- You will have a methodical and rigorous approach to experimental design, data collection, data management and analysis, ensuring data and results pass peer-reviewed standards of scrutiny and audit.
- You will be a skilled collaborative, adaptable worker and communicator, with experience working with a range of stakeholders.
Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:
- You will have experience in collecting, curating and analysing large complex data sets, preferably citizen science or biodiversity monitoring data.
- You will have experience in developing novel approaches to audience appropriate data visualisation.
- You will exhibit project design to a robust scientific standard, forecasting the necessary time scales, which could range from weeks to years.
- You will be an effective communicator, tailoring high quality written and visual materials for a range of audiences and using a range of communications channels to share ideas and project results.
- You will have a demonstrable track record of scientific publication.
- You will have knowledge of garden bird ecology and factors impacting their populations, set in a broader knowledge of ecological principles and current scientific issues relevant to conservation.
Additional Information:
- The location of the role is flexible within the UK; however, occasional travel to meet team members or collaborators, often at the RSPB HQ in Bedfordshire or in Cambridge, would be expected.
- This is a Fixed-Term, Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week, for 2 years.
- The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from late-September.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.
The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
As part of this application process, you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.
No agencies please.
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Senior Conservation Scientist - Ecological Analyst employer: RSPB
Contact Detail:
RSPB Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Conservation Scientist - Ecological Analyst
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Big Garden Birdwatch and its significance in conservation science. Understanding the project will help you articulate your passion for citizen science and how your skills can enhance its impact.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the conservation and ecological analysis fields. Attend relevant conferences or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about current trends, which can give you an edge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your coding skills, particularly in R, by working on personal projects or contributing to open-source initiatives. This practical experience can demonstrate your ability to handle complex data analysis tasks effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with stakeholder collaboration. Think of examples where you've successfully worked with diverse groups, as this role requires strong communication and teamwork skills to drive conservation efforts.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Conservation Scientist - Ecological Analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. Emphasise your analytical, coding, and data visualisation skills, as well as any experience with ecological models.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that specifically addresses the role of Senior Conservation Scientist - Ecological Analyst. Discuss your passion for conservation science and how your background makes you a perfect fit for the position.
Showcase Your Research Experience: Include details about your PhD or equivalent experience, focusing on research related to ecology, biology, or applied statistics. Highlight any publications or projects that demonstrate your expertise in data analysis and ecological modelling.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Think about how you would answer questions related to your experience with large datasets, citizen science, and stakeholder collaboration. Be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase your problem-solving skills and innovative approaches.
How to prepare for a job interview at RSPB
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Senior Conservation Scientist, you'll need to demonstrate your strong analytical abilities. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've used data analysis and ecological models in your previous work. Highlight any experience with time-series or spatiotemporal analysis.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Big Garden Birdwatch
Understanding the Big Garden Birdwatch is crucial for this role. Research its history, methodology, and significance in conservation science. Be ready to share your thoughts on how you could enhance participant engagement and improve data visualisation tools.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to coding and data management, especially in R. Brush up on your coding skills and be ready to discuss your experience in developing analytical pipelines and ensuring reproducible research standards.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Experience
This role requires collaboration with various stakeholders. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to work effectively in teams, communicate complex ideas clearly, and adapt your approach based on audience needs. Highlight any past experiences where you successfully led or contributed to collaborative projects.
