Research Technician in Ecology (0.5 FTE)

About The University

Swansea University is a research-led university that has been making a difference since 1920. The University community thrives on exploration and discovery and offers the right balance of excellent teaching and research, matched by an enviable quality of life.

Our stunning waterfront campuses and multicultural community make us a desirable workplace for colleagues from around the world. Our reward and benefits, and ways of working enable those who join us to have enriching careers, matched by an excellent work-life balance.

About The Role

The REPAIR project is recruiting an ecologist with experience of local species’ identification to perform Biodiversity surveys (plants, insects, birds, bats) in Swansea.

“REPAIR” is a £3.2 M trans-disciplinary Arts & Humanities Research Council-funded project that explores Nature-based solutions for Climate Adaptation, through urban regeneration. The project explores the cultural, social, and ecological dimensions of biophilic retrofitting (integrating ‘nature’ into existing buildings) through the lens of the Biophilic Living Building in Swansea (“BIOME”) – a comprehensive, nature-based retrofit of a former retail store, with social housing over a ground floor for sustainable social enterprises and other activities.

The project explores how nature-based solutions such as green roofs and walls, rain gardens etc., help cities adapt to climate change. It aims to identify regulatory and human-centred challenges that hinder widespread adoption of biophilic design and deliver evidence-based, replicable pathways to retrofitting nature-based solutions for urban climate adaptation.

We are seeking a part-time (0.5 FTE) Research Technician who is passionate about making a difference to the planet, to perform regular biodiversity surveys of wildlife in and around the new “BIOME” Biophilic building in central Swansea. The building’s users will have access to green spaces (roof gardens, planters, a community vegetable garden, multistorey green house). The project aims to study how local wildlife responds to this exciting new development, and links with existing green and blue corridors and infrastructure around Swansea.

The successful candidate will have a good working knowledge and experience of surveying and identifying local plant, insect, bird and bat species commonly found around Swansea. They will have excellent interpersonal and organisational skills, be adaptable and able to solve problems. They will be able to work collaboratively to specific timelines with academic colleagues and other partners from industry and local government to deliver seasonal biodiversity surveys, reports and analyses (see JD for more detail).

The project’s Team convening principles are set out https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/researcher/what-is-thrive/ which are adopted and adapted by our co-leaders and collaborators.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

As an inclusive and welcoming workplace, we value people for their skills regardless of their background. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English.

Welsh Language Skills

The Welsh language level required for this role is Level 1 - A little. The role holder will be able to pronounce Welsh words, answer the phone in Welsh (good morning/afternoon) and use very basic everyday words and phrases (thank you, please etc.). Level 1 can be reached by completing a 1 hour course.

The University is a proud bilingual institution, our Welsh Language Strategy outlines our aspiration to promote the language and enable our staff to engage with the language as an additional workplace skill and as a gateway to new cultural and social opportunities. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English. Welsh speakers have the right to an interview in Welsh. Applicants for a role where Welsh skills are essential are expected to present their application in Welsh and will be interviewed in Welsh, if shortlisted.

Additional Information

Applications for this role will take the format of a CV submission and cover letter.

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