Statistician/Modeller in Ecology and Environmental Science

Exciting Opportunity: Environmental/Ecological Statistician at BioSS (Permanent Position)

Are you passionate about applying your quantitative skills to tackle pressing environmental and ecological challenges? BioSS (Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, https://www.bioss.ac.uk) is looking for an innovative and motivated early-career statistician or quantitative modeler to join our ecology and environmental sciences team. This is an outstanding opportunity to advance your career in a stimulating, supportive environment while making a tangible impact on ecological and environmental science!

About the Role: You’ll play a key role in developing and applying cutting-edge statistical and modelling approaches in ecology and environmental science. You’ll interact with other quantitative experts across and beyond BioSS, including collaborating closely with applied scientists from leading UK research institutions such as Forest Research (https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk), The James Hutton Institute (https://www.hutton.ac.uk), UKCEH (https://www.ceh.ac.uk/), and other SEFARI institutes (https://sefari.scot). We offer time for personal research and opportunities to contribute to externally funded projects (e.g. UKRI) alongside other BioSS staff and with our collaborators.

This is a permanent position based in Aberdeen, with flexibility to work from BioSS locations in Dundee or Edinburgh, or remotely from home. We value work-life balance and offer a supportive and flexible working environment. BioSS is part of and is also a member of SEFARI (https://sefari.scot), a collective of leading Scottish research institutes.

What You’ll Do:

• Collaborate on exciting research projects in statistics and/or mathematical modelling, particularly in environmental and ecological sciences, including working with Forest Research and the Scottish Government RESAS research programme.
• Contribute to applications for funded projects, especially in environment and ecology.
• Represent BioSS at meetings with both scientific and non-scientific stakeholders, expanding our collaborative network.
• Engage with government agencies, NGOs, universities, and commercial organizations, and contribute to BioSS training courses for scientists.

What We’re Looking For:

Essential Qualifications & Skills:

• A PhD in statistics or a quantitative discipline (or MSc with relevant work experience).
• Experience applying modern quantitative methods to real-world problems in ecology/environmental science.
• A proven track record of research and collaboration, with evidence of delivered outputs (e.g., scientific journals, conference papers, consultancy reports, digital tools, open-source software).
• Strong communication skills, and the ability to initiate and maintain scientific collaborations.
• Independence, enthusiasm for quantitative methods, and a desire to work with scientists across a range of fields.
• Appetite for personal development, including learning new methodology.
• Strong statistical skills (e.g., mixed models, generalized linear models, spatial modelling).
• Proficiency in statistical programming (especially in R).
• Strong scientific writing skills for both quantitative and non-technical audiences.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning
  • Data science and visualization
  • Spatial and temporal modelling
  • Movement modelling
  • Statistical inference and computation
  • Experimental design
• Experience communicating with government or commercial clients to inform policy or decision-making.
• Experience with Open Science practices and technologies.

For more details, or to discuss the position, contact Dr Nick Schurch (nick.schurch@bioss.ac.uk).

How to Apply: To apply, visit The James Hutton Institute’s recruitment pages before the closing date of 28th October 2024 at 9am.

Interview Date: Interviews are scheduled for Monday, 11 November 2024.

Why Join Us? At BioSS, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking, diverse team of over 50 staff and students working across multiple statistics and modelling disciplines. We value collaboration, innovation, and the continuous development of our team members. We’ve been awarded Investors in People Gold Status, and we’re committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from underrepresented groups in STEM, including women, BAME, and LGBTQ+ candidates.

BioSS is part of The James Hutton Institute, an equal opportunity employer and a Stonewall Diversity Champion, an Athena SWAN Bronze Status Holder, a Disability Confident Committed Employer, and a Living Wage Employer.

Benefits Offered

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential service available to support employees and their families with work or personal problems. Providing access to professional counsellors, psychologists, and work-life consultants available to help and support individuals in tackling all types of problems.

Annual Leave – Generous entitlement up to 40.5 days a year, with carry over possible and guaranteed time-off for Christmas.

Pension - Employer Contribution of 15% in a Personal Pension Plan and employee contribution flexibility.

Self-managed hours and Flexible Working – option to manage and spread your working time in line with organisational needs to create a healthy work life balance.

Additional Notes

Please note the minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa is currently £38,700.00.  If the advertised salary for this posts falls below this threshold, we regret to advise that we may not be able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship to a non-UK citizen for this role.  Applicants who do not meet the conditions to be sponsored as per the UK governments page (https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/when-you-can-be-paid-less) will need to demonstrate an alternative right to work.