Postdoctoral Research Officer: Contribution of Blue carbon Ecosystems to climate change mitigation

Job title:

Postdoctoral Research Officer: Contribution of Blue carbon Ecosystems to climate change mitigation

Company

Bangor University

Job description

Applications are invited for a fixed-term, full-time Post-doctoral Research Officer in the School of Ocean Sciences. The successful candidate will work on the Horizon Europe project “Carbon sequestration in BLUe Ecosystems (C-BLUES)” with a partner project in the People’s Republic of China.Duties will include responsibility for data gathering and reporting on the opportunities for EU countries to increase inclusion of Blue Carbon Ecosystems (BCEs) in their national greenhouse gas inventories (GHGIs). Existing and new scientific data will be used to evaluate possible future revisions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodology for coastal wetlands. The postholder will actively collaborate with the project partners in C-BLUES who are working on remote sensing, field and lab-based studies to construct a comprehensive assessment of the potential contribution of BCEs to the EU and PR China GHGIs.Candidates should be educated to PhD level (or be near completion) related to Blue Carbon Ecosystems and their potential to mitigate climate change. Applicants will have experience of working with large data sets and an interest in the incorporation of blue carbon science into national and international climate policy.The successful candidate will be expected to commence on 01/04/2025 and the post is available for a duration of 36 months.This role will be located on campus at Menai Bridge. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis.Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.Closing date for applications: 17 February 2025Committed To Equal OpportunitiesOverviewThe School of Ocean Sciences (SOS), located on the Isle of Anglesey, is a multidisciplinary department with a focus on freshwater and marine sciences and a strong history of international research excellence and collaboration.The ProjectThe C-BLUES project, embedded within the EU Horizon framework, is dedicated to enhancing the understanding and management of BCEs as a significant countermeasure against climate change.The overarching objectives of C-BLUES are:(a) to advance scientific knowledge in the quantification and reporting of blue carbon under global climate agreements,(b) improve the inclusion of BCEs in EU national greenhouse gas inventories through potential improvements to the 2013 IPCC Wetlands Supplement and(c) raise awareness, build robust partnerships and promote the role of blue carbon as a nature based solution for climate change mitigation and strengthen the impact of blue carbon on global climate policy goals.Further details of the C-BLUES project can be found at: https://www.c-blues.eu/Purpose of the JobBangor University’s role in C-BLUES is to facilitate better national appreciation of BCEs across the EU and enhance the opportunity for countries to incorporate BCEs in their Greenhouse Gas Inventories. This will be achieved through strong collaboration with the other project partners to collate existing data sets and new data to be acquired during the project. The outputs will report on the strength of national data sets, the areal importance of BCEs in their country and their vulnerability to disturbance. Where additional data has become available, consideration will be given to the development of methodology for new management activities and inclusion of new habitats in any future refinements of the IPCC guidelines for NGGIs. The results of these activities will be used to help determine the potential contribution of BCEs to the EU and PR China GHGIs.The Post-doctoral Research Officer role will contribute to the preparation of reports, deliverables and research papers, present at conferences, and engage in outreach initiatives to maximize the project’s visibility and real-world impact. The post holder will join the academic environment at the School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, where there is an active research community studying a range of different BCEs. They will also become an integral part of an international research team of C-BLUES that includes scientists from the EU and China.Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Gathering and analysing data: Systematic retrieval, processing, and interpretation of data to support the project’s objectives. This includes maintaining a comprehensive and current understanding of relevant scientific literature, contributing to data collation and analysis, and supporting the workpackage leader in refining existing, and developing new methodologies for national GHGIs.

• Delivering outcomes: Lead the development and dissemination of findings through project deliverables, scientific publications, technical reports and presentations at international conferences. Collaborate with research partners to maximise and share results with the wider scientific community and stakeholders. Contribute to public engagement and outreach activities. Provide regular updates to the workpackage project management group to keep all stakeholders informed of progress.

• Administration of the research project: Participate actively in project meetings and contribute to planning to ensure the project meets its goals. Assist in coordinating project timelines, task allocations, and deliverables. Support grant reporting and compliance with project milestones.

• Collaboration and engagement: Engage in networking activities to make internal and external contacts with other researchers within the C-BLUES project partners as well as with the wider stakeholder community. Share expertise through workshops or seminars and contribute to the academic community’s collective knowledge.

• Interdisciplinary engagement: Work closely with other members of the C-BLUES community involved in complementary work packages, such as remote sensing, lab and field-based studies. Contribute to interdisciplinary dialogues and joint communication efforts to enhance the knowledge and understanding of BCEs.

• Workpackage management support: Assist the workpackage leader with project organisation, including timeline management, resource allocation, delivery and quality assurance for outputs. Ensure that activities align with the overarching goals of the project and adhere to best practices in research ethics and data management.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.

• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.

• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.

• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.

Person SpecificationQualifications/TrainingEssential

• PhD (or be near completion) in a subject related to Blue Carbon Ecosystems and their potential to mitigate climate change.

Experience/KnowledgeEssential

• Strong background in the field of blue carbon science.

• Demonstrated ability to publish in scientific journals.

• Experience of working with datasets from multiple sources.

• Good knowledge of the issues surrounding the use of scientific evidence to inform national and international climate policy.

• Track record of conference presentations.

Desirable

• Experience of working with publicly available databases.

• Knowledge of relevant policy, e.g. the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change National Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

• Experience of working with the wider community (policy makers, regulators etc).

Skills/AbilitiesEssential

• Demonstrate ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

• Good interpersonal skills.

• Ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines.

• Effective communicator.

• Good analytical skills, ability to analyse numerical data and present results appropriately.

• The ability to manage time effectively and to deliver detailed reports to deadlines.

Desirable

• Evidence of external networking and profile-raising.

• The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable for this role. If applicants are not able to speak/write in Welsh at present, there are many opportunities to learn if the successful candidate wishes to do so.

GeneralThe University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.We are a member of Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University’s policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) . If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.Candidates should also note that they may be required to apply for an ATAS certificate (Academic Approval Technology Scheme) from the Counter-Proliferation and Arms Control Centre of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before being able to apply for a visa – .Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University’s Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.

Expected salary

Location

United Kingdom

Job date

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 02:45:44 GMT

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your email/cover letter where (globalvacancies.org) you saw this job posting.