Research Associate

Salary - £29,733 to £31,553 Depending on experience

Permanent and Full Time (37 hours per week)

Fully site or field based

UKCEH is looking to appoint a Research Associate - Plant Ecological Genetics to join our 600-strong team, 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- 10% employer pension contribution- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave- 24 hour, 365-day access to support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues- Flexible working opportunities- And much more.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and practical individual with a passion for ecology, who thrives in a varied role of working outdoors all year round in various climates, in the glasshouse and laboratory. This opportunity includes travel for international fieldwork.

Our Research Associate programme is dedicated to supporting early careers scientists with a three-year training plan. As well as on-the-job training and self-guided learning, you’ll have access to traditional learning, such as online and in-person courses.

Development opportunities will include:

- Genetic data analysis - population genetics, genomics and quantitative trait data; Field surveying and sampling techniques; Experimental design; Molecular Biology lab skills; A wide range of transferable skills including data handing and statistical analysis, presentation, writing and scientific publication, first aid, off-road driving, and more.

You’ll be joining our Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Change group. A diverse team, working on a wide range of questions of how plant species and communities respond to change, especially pressures of climate change and novel pests and diseases. We have a particular focus on trees and forests. Undertaking research on a range of species in the UK and internationally.

Current projects the team are working on include:

- newLEAF project: studying the rate of evolution in trees to evaluate climate change outcomes and help plan tree planting initiatives- Genetic diversity in East African trees: assessing genetic variation to understand local adaptation and identify genetic resources for conservation and use

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 handling, including analysis and presentation of results- Assisting in report and paper writing, presenting results to a variety of audiences- Fieldwork in the UK and overseas (for 2-3 weeks at a time) - including identification, mapping and sampling of wild plant populations- Measurement of plant populations in the wild and in experimental trials- Molecular biology lab work including sample preparation, DNA extraction, PCR, sample preparation for sequencing and genotyping, flow cytometry and archiving

For the role of Research Associate - Plant Ecology, we’re looking for somebody who:
- Has an undergraduate degree (2:1 or above) in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology or a related discipline- Has some experience of lab and fieldwork- Has some experience of population genetic analysis- Has a full UK driving licence - please confirm in your CV- A willingness to travel overseas for two weeks at a time, sometimes in remote locations- Ability to work outside throughout the year in the UK and the tropics- Has an enthusiasm for ecology- An ability to work well as part of a collaborative team and independently