Are you an inspiring, experienced individual who can provide the vision and leadership for the Rothamsted Insect Survey (RIS), ensuring it remains at the forefront of today's and future knowledge on insect trends in the UK and internationally?
RIS is responsible for curating the world’s most extensive long-term standardised invertebrate time-series and archive. Its work is fundamental to informing biodiversity and pest management research, policy, climate change and landscape impacts and involves extensive engagement with diverse communities. RIS is sponsored by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) as a National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (NBRI). More detailed information can be found on the recent YouTube video and the website insectsurvey.com.
The successful candidate will hold an exciting vision for developing the underpinning science and exhibit exceptional skills in stakeholder engagement and communication, alongside foresight and judgement in delivering a research programme of international standing. You will be skilled in team working, with experience of managing large projects, demonstrating the ability to oversee lab, field and desk-based deliverables on time and to budget. An excellent track record of grant funding and revenue generation will be essential e.g., from government (UKRI, Defra, Innovate FCDO), industry and foundations.
Foremost, we are seeking an individual with enthusiasm and curiosity for insects who is able to combine classical and transformative (such as next generation sequencing and AI) research approaches. Ultimately, the position must contribute to our understanding of the role of pest and beneficial insects in sustaining a biodiverse, resilient agroecosystem that delivers services to nature, society and agriculture.
The responsibility of the new Head of the RIS will include:
- Leadership and overall management of the RIS team delivery (operation and budget), including the two trap networks, RIS data sets, bulletin, forecasts and other outputs (20%)
- Research excellence, including existing and new technologies, embracing multi-disciplinarity, innovation and entrepreneurship (30%)
- Fund-raising from UK government (UKRI, Defra, Innovate), industry and other funders, including for PhD studentships (20%)
- Publishing the work of RIS and related research in world top-ranking journals (10%)
- Developing and promoting a RIS vision, for impact nationally and internationally (5%)
- Communicating RIS science and impacts to stakeholders, including academics, industry, policy makers and general public (10%)
- Development of insect taxonomy as an essential bioscience discipline (5%).
The position is available on a full-time basis, however we welcome applications from candidates who would like to negotiate part-time hours. We can be flexible with working hours and working patterns and hybrid working from home can be considered up to 2 days. The salary range is between £59,882-£66,808 p.a. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the position with Julian Smith, Science Director, Crop Protection & Environment [[email protected]].
Closing Date: 15 December 2023
Interview dates: to be agreed.