Research Associate in Ecology and Landscape Genetics

Research Associate in Ecology and Landscape Genetics

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Research Associate in Ecology and Landscape Genetics

Job details

Posted 12 December 2025
Salary Grade 7 £ 41,064-£46,049 per annum
Location Glasgow
Job Type Research and Teaching
Reference 189553
Expiry 20 January 2026 at 23:45

To make a leading contribution to the NERC funded project ‘Delivering a Climate Resilient City through City-University Partnership:
Glasgow as a Living Lab Accelerating Novel Transformation (GALLANT)’ (). This post will be based in Work Package 2 ‘Biodiversity and societal benefits of ‘natural’ urban habitats:
Nature-based Solutions in an integrated urban-habitats network’ working with Dr Dominic McCafferty (domi), Dr Davide Dominoni (d) and Dr Arne Jacobs ().

Glasgow holds a nationally important population of water voles that are found across a network of grassland sites within the city. The last systematic survey of this population was in 2014 and we now require an updated assessment of their distribution to inform their management and conservation. You will be responsible for determining grassland habitat networks for water voles and use non‑invasive hair sampling methods to sample the genetic structure of the population.

The candidate will take responsibility for selecting survey sites using GIS, undertaking sign surveys and mapping habitat and distribution across the study area. You will be expected to implement hair trapping methods for non‑invasive genetic sampling and undertake DNA extraction and genetic analysis. This work will contribute to the Conservation Action Plan for Water Voles in NE Glasgow and engage with local stakeholders and conservation volunteers.

• Apply GIS approaches to design sign surveys of water voles (Arvicola amphibius) across their distribution in NE Glasgow.
• Undertake field surveys to determine presence of water voles, in dry grassland and riparian habitats and use non‑invasive hair sampling to collect genetic samples.
• Extract DNA from hair using appropriate methods for degraded and low‑concentration of DNA within samples.
• Work with ecological geneticists and use landscape genetics approaches to determine population structure, dispersal distances and barriers to gene flow that will inform development of grassland networks for water voles and associated biodiversity.
• Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, and writing journal articles for publication.
• Contribute to the Conservation Action Plan for water voles in NE Glasgow, to support establishment of habitat corridors and inform planning decisions.
• Engage with local stakeholders and conservation volunteers to aid with surveys/field sampling.
• Manage data effectively and deposit data with the GALLANT datahub and NERC Environmental Data Service.
• Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high‑profile refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
• Presentation of work to project partners, at international or national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
• Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the GALLANT project and the wider community (e.g., conservation partners).
• Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the Institute.
• Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including budgets/expenditure.
• Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
• Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required…