Soil Microbial Informatician

Applications are invited for the above position as a Postdoctoral Research Officer in soil microbial ecology. This is a post working in the School of Natural Sciences, on a Horizon EU-funded research project devising indicator systems for monitoring soil biodiversity change across European agricultural landscapes.

The research will focus on deploying models from existing soil microbiome datasets to provide predictive benchmarking tools relating to soil biodiversity status applicable at EU scales. Working with many EU academic, industry and policy project partners, a key focus will be to test the system on new data collected across the project and integrate into novel rapid monitoring systems examining above and belowground change in response to management intervention.

Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis

Committed To Equal Opportunities

Overview

College

School

The School of Natural Sciences conducts world-leading research and teaching across a diverse range of topics including zoology, biology, forestry, geography, agriculture and conservation. With Bangor University being based in stunning North Wales the school is the obvious choice for students and researchers interested in the natural world and environment. Alongside having the forests and mountains of Snowdonia, and the cliffs and sandy beaches of Anglesey on our doorstep, the School of Natural Sciences also boasts cutting-edge laboratories and analysis equipment, a botanic garden, research farm, animal care facilities, aquariums, growth rooms and greenhouses, and a natural history museum.

The Project

This 2.5 year post doctoral position is to deliver science outputs on the recently awarded Horizon EU-funded research project “BioMonitor4CAP”. This large pan European project has a total budget of ~ €7million and involves >20 academic, policy and industry partners.The BioMonitor4CAP project will develop, evaluate and test affordable and reliable systems for monitoring biodiversity that can successfully be applied on agricultural land as well as on E.U.’s designated Natura 2000 sites. It will combine classical biodiversity indicator systems with new technological approaches, including acoustic, optical and molecular systems. The project will provide recommendations for adapted management practices and thus to strengthen biodiversity on farms internationally as well as to support the development of EU biodiversity policies.

Purpose of the Job

Main

**Responsibilities**:
- Explore potential functional relevance of devised indicators through either literature or novel data driven approaches.- Delivering research outcomes. Contribute to the dissemination of research outputs through relevant scientific technical and public press and conferences. Lead writing of deliverable and milestone reports to project management and funders on biodiversity indicators.- Contribute to administration of the research project. Participate in project meeting coordinate project to meet aims and objectives and liaise with stakeholders (external and internal). Present findings to internal partners through full project and ad-hoc meetings.- Advise and collaborate with Masters and PhD students within the research programme, and the broader research unit.Other

**Responsibilities**:

- The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.- The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.- The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/her self and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.- The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.Person Specification
- Qualifications/Training _

Essential
- PhD in relevant discipline (microbial ecology, soils, ecology, informatics), or be close to completion.- Experience/Knowledge _

Essential
- Working with microbiome datasets- The ability to undertake quantitative analysis and particularly show innovation in dealing with large datasets- Evidence of written contributions in publications- Proven track record of conference presentationsDesirable
- Experience of working with ecological/ machine learning models- Experience of working with whole genome data- Skills/Abilities _

Essential
- Demonstrate good verbal and written skills- Demonstrate good analytical skills, ability to analyse numerical data and present results appropriately in either R or Python- Demonst