Overview

The role is a scientist/manager working in the wildlife disease research team within the National Wildlife Management Centre (NWMC), based at Woodchester Park, Gloucestershire. The main purpose of the job is to conduct research on badger ecology and wildlife disease management and provide expert scientific and technical advice on this and related subject areas to Defra and the Welsh Government. The post holder will be required to pursue both government and non-government sources of funding for applied research and manage potentially large multi-partnered projects from experimental design through to the publication of results, involving the programming of field resources and allocation of budgets. The postholder will need to be an effective communicator of scientific and technical knowledge, and will be required to provide representation at conferences, workshops, stakeholder meetings and policy briefings. The post holder needs to think strategically, to be responsive, able to adapt and prioritise resource deployment to changing needs, to think creatively about matching resource use against policy demands and to anticipate future demands. The post holder will need to cultivate and manage relationships with key partners and collaborators.

1. Providing expert science and technical advice on badger ecology and disease management, with particular emphasis on badger vaccination.

2. Project management.

3. Writing proposals for research funding, building strategic relationships and pursuing collaborative research opportunities.

3. Developing and delivering field-skills training, (e.g. for lay badger vaccination programmes); and providing expert ecological advice on farm wildlife biosecurity aspects.

4. Line management of staff and supervision of research students in collaboration with University partners.

5. Lead on the publication of research papers.

6. To engage with and provide expert input for science projects and initiatives, including where necessary, sitting on relevant project boards.

7. To take an active role in research on TB in badgers, e.g. via an on-going trap and release programme that involves taking biological samples.

8. To share knowledge and raise awareness by giving presentations on an ad hoc basis on badgers and their ecology.

Person specification
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience.

1. Experience of relevant field-work techniques in the study of wildlife.
2. Experience of project and resource management.
3. Track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
4. Ability to forge effective relationships and work as a team with internal and external contacts.
5. Ability to communicate confidently with others.
6. Ability to manage a dynamic workload.
Desirable Qualifications, Skills and Experience

1. Ability to adapt quickly to changing work priorities.
2. Experience of staff line management.
3. An understanding of the research carried out by the wildlife disease research team at Woodchester Park.

Licences
Driving licence preferable. Authorisation under Home Office &/or Natural England licences for research activities will be arranged.
Qualifications
Requires PhD in biological science, preferably with particular experience in mammals/expertise in badger ecology.
Competencies
You will be asked to supply evidence of meeting these competencies when you apply.

Collaborating and partnering
Managing a quality service
Delivering value for money
Leading and communicating
Science & Engineering – Applying Scientific & Technical Knowledge
Science & Engineering – Overseeing the Technical Work of Others