Senior Research Associate: AI-Enabled Behavioural Ecology for Conservation

Overview

An exciting opportunity for a behavioural ecologist to join the BEACON programme and lead field experiments and mechanistic modelling investigating how disturbance disrupts reef fish behaviour and ecosystem function.

Location: Lancaster, with at least 3 days per week in person. Fieldwork on coral reefs and UK coastal waters required.

Contract length: 2 years 9 months.

We are seeking a highly motivated behavioural ecologist to co-lead the ecological research within BEACON (Behavioural Ecology AI for CONservation action), a new interdisciplinary research programme funded by UKRI. BEACON will develop the first integrated AI-enabled system for monitoring ecosystems and guiding conservation decisions through changes in animal behaviour. You will work closely with the PI (Dr Sally Keith) and interdisciplinary team to design field experiments and analyses that reveal the mechanistic links between environmental disturbance, animal behaviour and ecosystem function, providing the ecological foundation for AI-enabled conservation monitoring.

We are looking for someone with a passion for behavioural ecology who is excited by combining field ecology, quantitative analysis and AI to answer ecological questions that have not previously been tractable. You should have a PhD in behavioural ecology, marine biology or a related discipline, with strong grounding in animal behaviour. You will be able to demonstrate evidence of marine field skills including fieldwork in remote international locations, field experiments and SCUBA diving qualifications. A proactive and enthusiastic approach, strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to interdisciplinarity, open science and responsible AI are all essential. Prior expertise in AI is not essential, but you should be enthusiastic about developing practical AI skills and working closely with AI researchers to create genuinely integrated approaches.

Further enquiries: Informal enquiries about the scope of the research or working arrangements are welcome to Dr Sally Keith (sally.keith@lancaster.ac.uk). Such enquiries are not necessary as part of the application and will not inform any decision. Applications without prior enquiry are welcome and will not be disadvantaged.