Senior Research Assistant

Senior Research Assistant
Reference: FEB20239375
Location: Fieldwork, North Wales
Salary: £26,180.00 – £29,043.00 Per Annum
Benefits: Pension, Life Assurance, 26 days annual leave
Duration: 4.5 months

We are looking for an enthusiastic fieldworker to study the survival and habitat use of Curlew broods, by fitting radio tags to Curlew adults and chicks and tracking their movements.

About the role 
The Eurasian Curlew is a major conservation priority in the UK and further afield. In this exciting conservation project based in North Wales, a variety of interventions are being deployed to help breeding Curlew. Understanding the effectiveness of these interventions for improving breeding success is essential, and relies on detailed study of Curlew broods to monitor their survival and habitat use.

The responsibilities of the postholder will include: Curlew nest finding and monitoring; fitting radio tags to adults and chicks; collecting biometrics from adults and chicks; monitoring the survival of broods through radio tracking and visual observation; ensuring all data are entered and stored correctly; end of season reporting.

All bird handling and tagging will be undertaken under appropriate licences. This position will involve long periods of outdoor working, sometimes lone working, in changeable weather. You will need to be self-reliant and responsible regarding health and safety, and capable of walking long distances over rough terrain. Occasional early morning, evening and weekend work may be required.

The RSPB will provide a vehicle for the fieldwork. Data entry and collation will be performed remotely from a home base (equipment will be provided).

What we need from you: 
Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Holder of BTO ringing licence, minimum C-permit, including endorsements for Curlew adults and chicks
• Ability to undertake demanding fieldwork in remote locations, whether alone or as part of a small team, in all weather and over rough terrain
• Willing and able to work flexible and occasional long hours
• Ability to navigate using a map, GPS and compass
• Well organised and able to work under own initiative with limited supervision
• Capable of keeping accurate and legible records of field data; maintaining electronic data using standard packages (eg Excel and Word)
• Verbal and written communication skills to develop and maintain good relations with other RSPB staff and local stakeholders
• Full, manual driving licence, valid in the UK, and able to regularly travel to, from and within remote locations not served by public transport

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Practical experience of finding and monitoring wader nests
• Practical experience of fitting radio tags and using radio tracking equipment
• Practical experience of reading colour-rings or other field readable marks
• Good understanding of farming-related issues
• Experience of working in remote upland areas

This is a contract, full-time role for 4.5 months, working 37.5 hours per week, aiming to commence from 11th April 2023.

Closing date: 23:59, Friday 24th February 2023
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position in Feb/early March 2023. Interviews will be conducted remotely via telephone or Microsoft Teams.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB will contribute towards the cost of rented accommodation for those relocating from a home base elsewhere.

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. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

No agencies please.