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Background

The Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science (SAHFOS) is an international Centre of Excellence in Marine Plankton Taxonomy. As a UK registered international charity, it manages the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey - the longest, most geographically extensive marine biological survey in the world that contains a unique data set of marine biodiversity (~500 taxa). Since 1931, the Survey's monitoring programme has collected epipelagic plankton using CPRs, towed by volunteer merchant 'ships of opportunity', on regular monthly shipping routes in the North Atlantic, North Sea, North Pacific and Southern Ocean.  In recent years the Survey has expanded into the Arctic Ocean and has plans to extend into the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas. The dataset of plankton biodiversity, created from these tows, and historical sample set is temporally and spatially unique. It provides a wide range of environmental and climatic indicators and is used throughout the world by marine scientists and policy makers to address marine environmental management issues such as harmful algal blooms, biodiversity, pollution, eutrophication, climate change and fisheries.

SAHFOS was established in 1990 and is funded by the UK Government and a consortium of agencies from a number of countries. The Foundation is governed by a Council of Management and by the Director, Professor Peter Burkill.  SAHFOS is based in Plymouth overlooking Plymouth Sound.

SAHFOS wishes to further develop as an international Centre of Excellence in Plankton Taxonomy. The next phase involves harnessing molecular skills to assess plankton that cannot be analysed by conventional microscopic analysis in CPR samples. This post represents an exciting new development, initially for 2 years, to establish the approach and then made open-ended subject to meeting key performance criteria.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this post is to:

• Develop molecular procedures for the taxonomic analysis of key plankton including specifically the analysis of harmful algal bloom species or other key groups found in European and other waters.

• Apply these procedures to current and past samples obtained from the Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey.

• Advise the Database Manager to molecular data holding in the CPR database.

• Publish the results in the open scientific literature.

• Generate funding where possible to develop plankton molecular taxonomy.

• Work alongside molecular biologists in the Marine Biological Association (MBA) who are co-located with SAHFOS.

• Interact with research and other staff operating the CPR Survey and with other molecular biologists in the Plymouth Marine Sciences Partnership (www.pmsp.org.uk).

Requirements and further particulars

SAHFOS seeks a molecular biologist / ecologist with strong interests in marine science.

A team player who is able to contribute to and interact with marine plankton ecologists with world class strengths in taxonomy. Although there are currently no molecular biologists on the staff, our taxonomists work closely with marine molecular ecologists in other institutions of the Plymouth Marine Sciences Partnership.

Normal hours of attendance are 37 hours per week exclusive of a lunch break worked over a 5 day week. All appointments, however, carry liability to extra attendance if required.  SAHFOS has a flexible working arrangement in place.

SAHFOS operates a Group Personal Pension Plan with Friends Provident. A sum equivalent to 10% of the employee's salary will be contributed by the Foundation on successful completion of the 6 month probation period.

30 days annual leave allowance plus statutory Bank Holidays

Salary

It is expected that the appointment will be made at postdoctoral level with a starting salary rising from £24,876 depending on skills and experience.

Further details

If you wish to discuss the scientific aspects of the post, please contact Dr Martin Edwards, Deputy Director of SAHFOS (maed@sahfos.ac.uk or + 44 (0)1752 633290).  For general enquiries please contact Professor Peter Burkill, Director of SAHFOS (phb@sahfos.ac.uk or +44 (0)1752 633271)

Interviews will be held during week commencing Monday 1 March 2010 in Plymouth, Devon.

Reasonable travelling expenses will be paid.

To apply please send a full CV, a covering letter and details of two referees by 5 February 2010 to: Marion Smith, SAHFOS, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, The Hoe, Plymouth PL1 2PB.

Tel: 01752 633271.  E-mail: sahfos@sahfos.ac.uk