Research Associate - Botanical Data Assistant

Salary - £30,684 to £32,563
Hybrid 50/50 (after a minimum of 6-weeks onboarding, during which you’ll be required on site full-time)
Permanent and Full-Time (37 hours per week)
We can consider part-time for this role; it would need to be equivalent to 4 full days per week.
Closing date for applications, Fri, 3rd Jan 2025. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.

UKCEH is looking for a Botanical Data Assistant to join our team of talented individuals, contributing to scientific discovery and generating the data, insights and solutions that researchers, businesses and governments need to solve complex environmental challenges. 

Working at UKCEH is rewarding. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.

As a valued member of our team, you’ll get: 

• 27 days annual leave, rising to 29 days after five years, plus 3 days for our Christmas closure

• 10% employer pension contribution 

• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave (subject to qualifying requirements) 

• 24 hour, 365-day access to support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues plus access to our trained Welfare Officers 

• Flexible working opportunities 

And much more... 

We are looking for a new team member to join our growing Biodiversity Monitoring and Analysis group, to support ecologists using botanical data for ecology and conservation-focused research.

Whether it’s supporting tools for field recorders, data processing (e.g., quality checks, formatting and database management), collecting new data or assisting with analyses, the successful candidate will have opportunities across a diverse array of tasks, essential for supporting the pioneering work of the Biological Records Centre (est. 1964) and other projects.

This Research Associate position creates the opportunity for greater professional development within your first 3 years in post. Allocated development time is structured with a tailored training plan to enhance your skills, knowledge, and experience in an area of science we are seeking to grow. Alongside on-the-job training and self-guided learning, you’ll have access to online resources and in-person training courses. 

You’ll be joining a cohort of Research Associates who are provided with additional support, program elements and guidance by our dedicated Early Careers Advisor. The aim of our Research Associate program is to grow our science capabilities and build the specialist, highly experienced and expert skillsets our organisation needs now and in the future.

We’ll provide a strong foundation and ongoing development to support a rewarding career for you at UKCEH. 

During the RA Program, you’ll gain or improve skills in: 

• Botanical data processing, including critical assessment of incoming data and the principles behind species nomenclature

• Build your expertise in the indicia software tools used to support biological recording (e.g. iRecord)

• Field identification skills and survey techniques

You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that’s committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH. 

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Data processing, including quality assurance and critical assessment

• Liaison with external organisations, collecting botanical biological records (e.g., BSBI, British Bryological Society, British Lichen Society)

• Providing support for botanical aspects of database management, such as taxonomic register maintenance

• Supporting scientists using botanical data in research projects

• Occasional botanical survey fieldwork

For the role of Research Associate - Botanical Data Assistant, we’re looking for somebody who has: 

• Enthusiasm for botany and plant ecology

• Experience of biological recording

• Plant identification skills and knowledge of the British and Irish flora

• A Master’s (Merit or higher) in a relevant subject (e.g., Ecology, Conservation, Environmental Science)

• Good working knowledge of MS Excel, MS Access or other database tools (e.g., SQL)

• Some understanding of the main principles of taxonomy and nomenclature

• Attention to detail when working with large datasets

• Good time management skills, able to prioritise tasks and work to deadlines across multiple projects

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, adopting an inclusive approach to a range of audiences

Desirable:

• Experience of using R for data manipulation and analysis

• Experience of GIS software

• Experience of working with biological records data

• A full UK driving licence – please confirm in your CV

If we’ve just described you, we’d love to meet. Apply now.  

Please send us your CV, accompanied by a covering letter which highlights any relevant skills and experience, together with what excites you most about the role and working for UKCEH.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position at this time.