Technician: Research; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

In this UKRI-funded project, we are investigating the mechanisms through which animals recognise their relatives and make appropriate social decisions. We are investigating three modalities of recognition: auditory, olfactory and social cues, coupled with powerful analytical methods to investigate how individuals decide who to socially interact with. In this project, we will conduct field observations of behaviour in a wild population of birds that are individually identifiable.

Fieldwork will be conducted at varying intensity throughout the year at a study site close to Sheffield.

We are looking for a talented and dedicated Research Technician to join this project in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology research cluster in the School of Biosciences. This project will use field studies of long-tailed tits and is led by Professor Ben Hatchwell. The Research Technician will work closely with the PI, two PDRAs and two other members of technical staff with overlapping responsibilities on the project, liaising with them to ensure efficient and rigorous collection of field data.

Applicants must have experience equivalent to Level 3 (BTEC/A Level) qualification in relevant field, with proven vocational skills in line with the job description along with an excellent understanding of how to store and handle data in accordance with legislation. Excellent communication skills to be able to communicate technical information clearly and succinctly to a wide variety of stakeholders, in a variety of methods, for example verbally or in presentation or written format are also essential.

• Intensive fieldwork on a colour-ringed population of long-tailed tits from March to June each year
• Occasional low intensity fieldwork from August to February each year
• Recording of vocalisations from birds in the study site during the breeding season
• Processing of recordings to identify and isolate specific calls for subsequent analysis
• Meticulous record-keeping in the field and prompt entry of data into appropriate databases
• Plan and work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, environmental compliance procedures and systems and other relevant guidelines
• Maintain accurate and reliable electronic records of obtained data.
• Deliver technical training to others in the use of materials/equipment/tools and processes to meet the needs of the audience
• Perform investigations and experimentation using the appropriate tools, equipment, techniques, procedures, and methods of relevance
• Ensure all activities are undertaken using the correct processes/methodologies, ensuring quality and compliance
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

• Experience equivalent to Level 3 (BTEC/A Level) qualification in relevant field, with proven vocational skills in line with the job description (Essential)
• Experience of conducting field research on wild birds (Essential)
• Practical application of appropriate technical and scientific principles (Essential)
• Perform investigations and experimentation using the appropriate tools, equipment, techniques, procedures and methods of relevance (Essential)
• Ensure all activities are undertaken using the correct processes/methodologies, ensuring quality and compliance (Essential)
• Work with minimal supervision, efficiently and effectively at all times maintaining workplace organisation and minimising waste (Essential)
• Theoretical understanding of scientific principles (Essential)
• Excellent communication skills to be able to communicate technical information clearly and succinctly to a wide variety of stakeholders, in a variety of methods, for example verbally or in presentation or written format (Essential)
• Knowledge of planning techniques, time management, workflow, work scheduling, work plans, documents, including record keeping (Essential)
• Excellent understanding of how to store and handle data in accordance with legislation (Essential)
• Experience of identifying individually marked birds in the field (Desirable)
• Understanding of relevant statutory, quality, environmental compliance procedures / systems, organisational and health and safety regulations relating to operations (Desirable)

• Minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with ability to purchase more
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles
• Generous pension scheme
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping,…