Research Technician

A research technician position is available for two years working in the Department of Biology at the University of Oxford supporting research on the evolution and ecology of synchrony in timing within and between trophic levels. The main focus of the work is on the interaction between deciduous trees, herbivorous insects and their predators, mainly passerine birds. The main duties of the post are to support ongoing work in the research group of Professor Ben Sheldon, working as part of a team of around a dozen researchers. The work will involve a wide range of approaches, including the fieldwork in Wytham Woods, Laboratory-based work and data analysis and management.

The post is funded as part of a UKRI Frontiers grant to Prof Ben Sheldon. The overall project aims to understand the effect of the spatial scale of phenological matching on natural selection, local adaptation, community diversity and demography in primary and secondary consumers in a deciduous woodland ecosystem. The tri-trophic system is exemplified by the oak-winter moth-great tit food chain, but this study will also focus on interspecific diversity at each of these trophic levels and their effects across levels. The project involves large-scale deployment of drones to measure phenology of deciduous trees in multiple years, as well as observational and experimental methods to understand the mechanisms by which spatial variation in phenology influences behaviour, ecology, and evolutionary processes in consumers. This project involves a team of ~12 researchers including postdoctoral and graduate students, as well as short-term seasonal field assistants, over five years from 2022-2027.

The post-holder will be expected to work closely with the other team members in their work, and to manage demanding responsibilities at certain busy times of year. The team working on this project is expected to consist of 5 postdocs and 4 PhD students working on other aspects of the project. Extensive research support and funds to support training and professional development are available. The post is available with a start date no later than 1 April 2024; an earlier start may be possible.

Where Covid-19 has resulted in substantial disruption to your work or research outputs, please explain this by providing an additional paragraph in your supporting statement.

The University of Oxford is committed to equality and valuing diversity. All applicants will be judged on merit, according to the selection criteria.

This post is full time  and available no later than 1 April 2024.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on 5th February 2024, interviews are likely to be scheduled for late February 2024. Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via our e-recruitment system, and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application.