[closing date 13 November 2012]
Applications should be made via the Cefas on-line application system:https://cefas.engageats.co.uk/ and follow the link to ‘External Vacancies’.
JOB TITLE: Fisheries Assessment Scientist
REF: 29-12
PAY BAND: 5/6
CONTRACT: Permanent
SALARY: 24,036 – 37,727
HOURS: 37
LOCATION: Lowestoft
ANNUAL LEAVE: 25 days, 30 days after 5 years service
PURPOSE OF JOB
You will have responsibility for initiating, conducting and developing statistical analyses of data collected for the assessment of commercially exploited marine fish stocks and will provide advice on their management to Cefas, Defra and other customers. The post will include working with national and international scientific organisations, which will require travelling in the UK and overseas, and there will also be requirement to participate in research projects and potentially fieldwork at sea.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Cefas provides high level advice to the UK Government and the EU in key areas of fisheries management, including: monitoring and assessment of fish and shellfish stocks and their associated environment and interacting species, and the impact of human activities and natural factors on freshwater and marine fauna and ecosystems.
The post-holder will develop and manage scientific analyses and provide analytical and advisory support on the assessment of marine fish stocks, and any potential implications for their associated fisheries. The duties will include development and application of statistical models, data analysis and statistical modelling, report writing and presentation of advice to a wide range of national and international customers. The role will require a high level of statistical and numerical programming, statistical analysis, project management, report writing and presentation skills
QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS
Academic qualifications required for direct entry to this Cefas Pay Band 5 post are a degree with a high level of mathematics / statistics content or a numerical discipline and significant, relevant work experience.
Academic qualifications required for direct entry to this CEFAS Pay Band 6 post are a degree in a biological, mathematics, statistics, and substantial, relevant work experience either nationally or internationally. Ideally you will possess a PhD in a subject that includes a large proportion of numerical analysis.
The requirements can be waived for internal candidates who are able to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge and experience.
Experience in numerical modelling and data analysis, high level programming languages, identifying problems and the ability to demonstrate a high degree of familiarity with packages such as R are essential. Good written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex solutions to non-specialists are also required.
The post requires strong personal motivation and flexibility, working effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team and willingness to travel both nationally and internationally to work directly with the organisations involved in this research. Experience of management of ecological or renewable resources, collaborating with other institutes both nationally and internationally, and the ability to identify and where appropriate to seek additional business opportunities in fisheries research, are all desirable.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This post is in Cefas Pay Band 5 or 6. The salary range is from £24,036 to £37,727pa. In addition there is the opportunity for all staff to earn a performance related bonus. The salary is paid monthly by credit transfer. If you are already an established civil servant you can obtain further information from your Personnel Division about rules which may provide a more favourable starting salary than is allowed for under the previous paragraph. Other rules will apply if you are serving a fixed term appointment. Part-time working and job share applicants are also welcome.
Should you be appointed Cefas will carry out pre-employment enquiries that may include a Criminal Disclosure check.
The Agency’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Principles which can be found at www.civilservicecommissioners.org. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Code and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact HR Services, Cefas, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 OHT in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Agency, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Principles.
Please note that all Defra surplus staff will be given priority shortlisting. Please can you state clearly on the application form.
This vacancy is open to employees who were appointed to the Civil Service on merit following a fair and open competition, or were appointed to a permanent Civil Service post in accordance with an exception certified by the Civil Service Commissioners.
If you wish to discuss this post informally, please contact Will Le Quesne 01502 524281
Closing date for applications is 13/11/12
Interviews for this post will be held during week commencing 26/11/12