Project coordinator and research assistant – Marine science and restoration

An exciting opportunity exists for a project coordinator and research assistant position to support two large projects: 1) a Royal Society funded fellowship: Harnessing island-ocean connections to support ecosystems and people, and 2) a UKRI funded fellowship: Ensuring Transformative Ecosystem Restoration by the Private Sector.

Location: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK. Travel for fieldwork and project meetings as required.

The role supports two research fellowships and their associated research teams:

A Royal Society Faraday Discovery Fellowship awarded to Prof Nick Graham to establish the Island-Ocean Research Hub. This project will investigate island-ocean connectivity and the influence of seabird nutrients and island rewilding on island and marine ecology and ecosystem services. The project has collaborating partners at 4 other universities, fieldwork planned in 5 countries, and will employ a large team of researchers. This fellowship accounts for 0.5 FTE (2.5 days per week).

A UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship awarded to Dr Tim Lamont. This project will investigate mechanisms for scaling up tropical marine restoration (coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass), and the role of business sustainability initiatives in delivering large-scale ecosystem restoration. The project has collaborations with the world's largest coral restoration programme (www.buildingcoral.com) and the private sector's most widely used sustainability reporting standards (www.globalreporting.org). This fellowship accounts for 0.3 FTE (1.5 days per week).

Responsibilities include: fieldwork planning to include risk assessments, diving safety, ethics and research permits; fieldwork support and possible involvement as research assistant; lab work and organisation; website and logo development and maintenance; social media and public engagement support; team cohesion and coordination including organising socials and retreats; team visas and other needs; workshop and meeting organisation; budget oversight and spending; help with reporting; data management and requests for data sharing; maintaining contact with project partners and collaborators; welcoming and inducting visitors and new group members.

The postholder will work closely with Nick Graham and Tim Lamont, collaborate with other members of the research team, and coordinate with project partners.

Preferred candidates will have experience in marine/biological science and/or project management. A proactive and enthusiastic approach and good interpersonal skills are essential.

Lancaster University is a research-intensive university ranked in the top 10 of UK universities. The Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) is a large and multidisciplinary department tackling environmental challenges across the natural and social sciences, with particular strength in high diversity tropical systems including coral reefs and tropical rainforests. LEC offers a highly collegial and stimulating environment for career development based on departmental values and embedded Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) considerations. The university is committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies, the Athena SWAN Charter, and is active around sustainability, wellbeing and decolonising agendas.

Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.