Senior Research Associate; Solent Seascape Project

Senior Research Associate (Solent Seascape Project)

University of Portsmouth provides a base pay range. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience—talk with your recruiter to learn more.

We are seeking to recruit a Senior Research Associate with expertise in fish ecology and an understanding of seascape ecology to join the Seascape Restoration Lab at the Institute of Marine Sciences as part of the scientific team working on the ground‑breaking Solent Seascape Project
. This five‑year, multi‑million‑pound, multi‑habitat marine ecological restoration project is delivered by a partnership of ten organisations with the aim to reconnect the Solent into a functioning seascape by improving the condition, increasing extent, and connectivity of key marine and coastal habitats using protection and restoration initiatives.

For more information regarding the project, please refer to the Further Information Attachment.

The role of the Senior Research Associate will be to lead the scientific monitoring of the three key habitats under restoration: saltmarshes, seagrass meadows and oyster reefs (Ostrea edulis). The post holder will be responsible for organising and conducting field and boat sampling surveys to assess biodiversity across the Solent via a variety of methods including fish habitat use (seine netting), ecological connectivity (fish tagging & RUVs) and collation of water and sediment samples for analysis.

Working in collaboration with a Research Fellow who leads the Solent‑wide monitoring programme, the SRA will also collect environmental DNA data, assess carbon and nutrient stocks, perform elemental and stable isotope analyses, manage data, conduct meta‑analysis, and contribute to scientific papers and communication briefs.

Key skills and experience:

• Fieldwork experience and a publication track record in marine ecology of temperate systems at an early career stage.
• Experience in fish survey methods, including fish tagging, underwater visual surveys or acoustic monitoring.
• Multivariate ecological data analysis skills.
• Fish tagging licence highly desirable.

We will consider candidates offering reduced hours and support hybrid working arrangements.

The interview is scheduled for 29 January 2026. The appointment is a fixed‑term contract until 31 October 2027.

Contact Prof Joanne Preston:

• Competitive salary with incremental progression.
• Generous leave entitlement of 32–35 days a year, plus bank holidays and an additional Christmas closure.
• Family‑friendly flexible working policies.
• Staff discounts and loyalty schemes.
• Staff car parking and discounted public travel.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• Recreation facilities, including discounted gym membership, food on campus schemes, library access and staff social activities.
• Discounted learning.
• Start‑up business mentoring via the Entrepreneurs in Residence programme.
• Further information on My Reward and Benefits available on application.

Prior to submitting your application, kindly ensure that you can either demonstrate or acquire the necessary right to work in the UK. If you currently do not possess the right to work in the UK, please be aware that our offer of employment is conditional upon you obtaining it.

We are strongly dedicated to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within our community. As an Athena SWAN and Race Equality Charter award holder, a member of Stonewall and a Disability Confident Employer we are passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, regardless of your background. We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills, perspectives and experiences.

In addition, we want our workforce to be representative of our diverse student population. Please see our EDI Framework and objectives.

Please note that this vacancy may be closed earlier than advertised, so early applications are advised.