Postdoctoral Researcher - Fisheries Data Integration & Analysis

Joined up thinking from joined up data: Fisheries data integration and analysis, facilitating the ecosystems approach to fisheries management.

Applications are invited for a seven year postdoctoral position in facilitating the data management needs of teams involved in fisheries assessment and the introduction of the ecosystem approach to marine advice. The project is grant aided under the Sea Change Strategy with the support of the Marine Institute (MI) and the Marine Research Sub-programme of the National Development Plan 2007-2013.

Background:  The EU is moving towards integrated ocean management and the adoption the ecosystem approach to fisheries management, as it is now accepted that all aspects of the ocean are interrelated and should be treated as an integrated system. In order to achieve a more rational management of resources and thus improve the quality of the marine ecosystem, Ireland too must adopt an integrated and co-ordinated approach to management and development planning. A new integrated management must be underpinned by sound and credible scientific advice, which in turn requires reliable access to accurate and appropriate scale data.

Project:  The primary objective of this project is to develop and implement a strategy which will enable data interrogation across all data sources used by MI’s Fisheries Science Services (FSS) Group. This project will liaise with the Marine Institute’s data repository initiative proposed under the policy support research programme.

The sampling methodology underpinning the collection of biological data, and the structure and function of the datasets themselves will be thoroughly reviewed, with the aim of streamlining and optimising the storage and interrogation of these data based on user needs and following best practice. This process will add value to these datasets and transform them to information and knowledge. This knowledge will be the cornerstone in developing the integrated advice that future ocean management demands.

Candidate:  The Postdoctoral researcher will require the following skills profile.

Essential

• A basic degree in quantitative methods
• A post graduate degree, or at least 4 years professional work experience in a data management field
• Data model design and database build experience
• Statistical analysis experience
• Excellent proven organisational skills
• Excellent proven communication skills

Desirable

• Exposure to front end solution builds
• Experience of providing data management solutions for medium size teams
• Some programming experience (e.g. VB, Csharp or .NET)
• Knowledge of sampling theory
• Innovative problem solver, positive outlook
• Ability to interpret user requirements to technical solutions
• An interest in fisheries management and the marine environment

Duration and salary:  Duration is 7 years. Starting salary (gross) is €47,000 pa rising to €61,000 pa with annual increments.

Other details:  The candidate will be a employed through the Coastal and Marine Resources Centre (CMRC), University College Cork .  The project will be jointly implemented in partnership between the CMRC and the MI. The researcher will be based in the Marine Institute, Oranmore, Galway.  Formal links between this project and other projects of a similar nature within the CMRC and MI will be established.  Projects of particular significance are: The Beaufort Research Award on Ecosystems Approach to Fisheries Management (EAF) and the SeaChange funded GeoDI project. 

To Apply : Informal enquiries can be made by contacting Dr Ciaran Kelly (Ciaran.Kelly@marine.ie), or Mr Gerry Sutton (gerry.sutton@ucc.ie).

Closing date for applications:  Friday 18^th July 2008

Candidates should submit their curriculum vitae including references via email and in writing to Grainne Lynch: grainne.lynch@ucc.ie. The applicants should also provide a short cover letter (max 500 words) outlining the reasons why they are particularly suited for the position.

UCC is an Equal Opportunities Employer.