Id Job: 3172784
Full-time, Fixed Term Contract for 24 months (Funding until 31 March 2025).
The duration may have to be shortened up to a maximum 20 months depending on the starting salary of the successful candidate and an extension beyond 31 March 2025 is subject to approval from the funder.
Applications are invited for a Scientific Technician for a feasibility project to assess soil bioacoustics as a measure of soil macrofauna activities in farmland soils. This technology has the potential to reshape how we approach and measure soil biology, with potential applications for monitoring soil health at unprecedented scales.
The successful applicant will join the team based at the School of Life Sciences at the University of Warwick, and work closely with an industry partner developing the technology and analytical methods.
This is a new area of soil science research, and as such, the post holder will help to develop Standard Operating and Quality Control Procedures spanning instrument specifications, sound proofing requirements, experimental conditions and replication recommendations. This requires a methodical approach and excellent record keeping to determine ‘what works’ to shape bioacoustic technology developments and applications. This role includes glasshouse and field research activities.
The post holder will be responsible for the management of factorial experiments in the glasshouse used to test the prototypes across a range of soil types and earthworm population characteristics. This includes responsibilities to arrange, dig out and prepare soils for use, collect and identify earthworms from the field (using the earthworm OPAL key) to populate these experiments, and excellent communication skills to liaise with the industry partner align experimental conditions with technology development needs. This project requires the regular handling of earthworms. They are released after measurement.
The post holder will support the field application of bioacoustics which requires travel to two field sites which are a 90 minute and 2-hour drive (each way) of Wellesbourne campus. We have planned monthly acoustic measurements when earthworms are active (September to April). It is anticipated to take around two days of data collection at each site, working in collaboration with the industry partner and field host. The field sites are in Hertfordshire and Suffolk.
Funding is available for an overnight stay, but it may be possible to complete this task as a series of day trips to accommodate post-holder preferences. Abilities to use a field key is essential, as earthworm middens and ecological group identification will be performed in the field (extracted via a vermifuge, returned after identification). Taking photographs will be needed in order to generate a field key of common macrofauna that we find to generate a soil biology guide suitable for farmers/advisors to use. Experience culturing or handling a range of soil macrofauna e.g., arthropods is a highly desirable skill.
Candidates will be required to have a degree in an Agricultural or Biological Science. Experience field sampling and using field keys is essential.
Demonstration of good communication skills and ability to work both independently and as part of a team is also essential.
We believe that collegiality, openness, inclusivity and diversity are essential for an excellent environment; this ethic has enabled us to gain an Athena SWAN Silver award. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you are excited by this role, we encourage you to apply, even if your past experience does not match exactly.
In your application, you can also include any career breaks you may have taken (e.g., parental/caring/long-term sick leave, part-time work, secondments) or any periods where you were unable or restricted to work because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For those eligible, the University of Warwick offers relocation and Immigration Support Scheme packages to assist with costs of relocating and any associated visa applications and HIS (health) surcharge fees.
Any requests for further information can be directed to Jacqueline Stroud, Jacqueline.stroud@warwick.ac.uk.
Interview Date: TBC.
Job Description
In your application, you can also include any career breaks you may have taken (e.g., parental/caring/long-term sick leave, part-time work, secondments) or any periods where you were unable or restricted to work because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis, even where a position is advertised as full-time, unless there are operational or other objective reasons why it is not possible to do so.
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars.
For further information about the department, please visit the departmental website.
We believe that collegiality, openness, inclusivity and diversity are essential for an excellent environment; this ethic has enabled us to gain an Athena SWAN Silver award. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you are excited by this role, we encourage you to apply, even if your past experience does not match exactly.
Warwick is committed to building an organisation of mutual respect and dignity, promoting a welcoming, diverse and inclusive working and learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. Where possible, we go beyond legislation to provide a place where everyone can thrive, supporting all staff to achieve their full potential. We aspire to remove economic, social and cultural barriers that may otherwise prevent people from succeeding.
We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all communities regardless of culture, background, age, disability, sex/gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion/belief, or sexual or romantic orientation. To find out more about our social inclusion work at Warwick visit our webpages here.
The University of Warwick holds an Athena SWAN Silver award; a national initiative to promote gender equality for all staff and students. Further information about the work of the University in relation to Athena SWAN can be found at the following link: Athena Swan (warwick.ac.uk)
The University of Warwick is one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University alliance, whose aim is to become by 2025 an open, multicultural, confederated operation of connected campuses.
Right to work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK points-based immigration system please click on this link which contains further information about obtaining right to work in the UK and details about eligibility for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa.
For those eligible, the University of Warwick offers relocation and Immigration Support Scheme packages to assist with costs of relocating and any associated visa applications and HIS (health) surcharge fees.
Benefits and Rewards
Please refer to this link for a full list of our employee benefits here at Warwick here.
