RSPB

Senior Conservation Scientist - Avian Influenza

We are looking for an experienced conservation scientist with a strong background in ecology, avian disease, epidemiology or virology, to play a crucial role in developing our response to avian influenza.

Senior Conservation Scientist - Avian Influenza
Reference: APR20236063
Location: Flexible in UK
Salary: £41,593.00 - £44,651.00 Per Annum
Duration: 1 year

What's the role about?

The successful candidate would collate and keep up to date our understanding of the broad scientific evidence base in relation to avian influenza, focussing on epidemiology, viral ecology, serology, and related disciplines, to inform RSPB advocacy, policies and practice, and to identify key knowledge gaps and scientific research needs. Forge contacts and relationships with external scientists, institutions, in the UK and overseas.

Provide scientific support to RSPB’s governance groups relating to avian influenza and lead and chair an internal science group. Provide scientific rigour, oversight, and perspective, to the development of RSPB’s avian disease-related policy and practice projects and lead the development of related scientific proposals and collaborations.

In collaboration with RSPB colleagues, contribute to peer-reviewed publication of avian disease research and monitoring studies, including data analysis and modelling, and wider sharing of key data sets. Support and advise policy colleagues on their written responses by interpreting the relevant scientific literature and challenging incorrect and misleading information.

Support policy and science staff in contingency planning and rapid emergency response to avian disease outbreaks.

What we need from you:

• A PhD in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience, and substantial additional experience leading and conducting relevant research.
• A broad knowledge of UK species ecology and conservation, and of current scientific issues that are relevant to nature conservation and recovery.
• Specialist knowledge of disease, avian disease, epidemiology, virology, or serology.
• Up-to-date knowledge of how to use and apply ecological or epidemiological statistical models to enable robust analysis and interpretation of data.
• Familiar with Microsoft Office, fluent in R or an equivalent statistical software
• A methodical and rigorous approach to experimental design, data collection, data management and analysis, ensuring data and results pass international peer-reviewed standards.
• Show initiative and scientific horizon scanning to propose innovative projects to answer important conservation questions relating to avian influenza and bird disease.
• A skilled collaborative worker, with experience working with a range of stakeholders, for instance, external scientists, institutions, and decision makers.

   
Closing date: 23:59, Wed, 7th Jun 2023

Apply HERE

Closing Date: 07/06/2023  Location: Flexible in UK