Overview
Do you want to play an important role in tackling the climate change emergency by helping to enable the sustainable development of offshore wind in Scotland?
We are looking for someone who is passionate about applying and communicating the best available science in policy and decision making, has expertise in underwater noise and bioacoustics and is enthusiastic about applying their analytical skills to improve understanding of the effect of human activities on the marine environment. If this is you, then we would like to hear from you.
In January 2022, Crown Estate Scotland announced the successful applicants to the ScotWind offshore wind leasing round to commence a new phase of offshore wind farm construction in Scottish waters helping Scotland meet its Net Zero targets, become carbon neutral by 2045 and tackle the climate emergency. The Scottish Government is responsible for identifying where the ScotWind projects will be located, administering the related offshore planning consents, and ensuring that projects are delivered in an environmentally sustainable manner. The Renewables and Ecology Team (R&E) in the Marine Directorate provides specialist scientific advice to regulators and policy makers to support this.
The Marine Bioacoustician will provide scientific advice on underwater noise related to offshore renewable energy projects and other policy and management related areas. You will help to build the evidence base relied upon by decision makers, to ensure that our advice continues to be supported by the best available evidence. You will also work to collect, process, and analyse underwater acoustic data to support statutory reporting, as well as contributing to work to better understand the impacts of underwater noise to the marine environment.
The R&E team currently has around 25 staff who provide advice within government on the potential environmental impacts of marine energy on key receptors including birds, marine mammals, fish and fisheries, benthic habitats, and diadromous fish. Our specialists also provide advice on other Scottish Government policy priorities, such as marine protected area management and regulation of other marine activities
Responsibilities
- Provide scientific advice to regulators and policy makers on underwater noise and bioacoustics, informed by the best available evidence.
- Work within the team to collect, process, and analyse underwater acoustic data to provide outputs on noise levels and detection of marine species.
- Support the Senior Marine Bioacoustician in contributing to work streams around management of underwater noise in Scotland.
Competencies:
Self Awareness
Communications and Engagement
Improving Performance
Analysis and Use of Evidence
Essential Criteria & Qualifications
Minimum of a relevant Master’s degree, or an honours degree with relevant work experience.
Essential Criteria:
1. A sound understanding of the possible impacts of underwater noise on marine mammals and other marine species, and current research relating to underwater noise.
2. Demonstrable experience in specialist software used to manage, manipulate and analyse sound data, for example Matlab, Python, R or PAMGuard.
3. The ability to work independently with good organisational skills and effectively manage projects.
4. Excellent analytical skills and the ability to make sense of complex information and make informed decision.
Location: Marine Lab, 375 Victoria Road, Torry, Aberdeen, AB11 9DB
Scottish Government operates a hybrid working practice, working in both Scottish Government workplaces and from home. Hybrid working patterns are agreed locally to meet business requirements and the needs of colleagues. This post will require attendance at the Marine Lab in Aberdeen as and when required.
Interview and Assessment: Dates to be confirmed
Scottish Government is preparing for the implementation of a new HR and Finance platform and, as a result, some job offers will be subject to an October 2024 start date at the earliest. This will be confirmed as your application progresses.
Minimum time in post:
You will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of three years unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.
SPONSORSHIP
Changes to legislation concerning Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship were implemented on 4 April 2024. If you think you may require Visa Sponsorship it is important that prior to applying you read the official Home Office guidance to confirm eligibility.
Any applicants that are not eligible for sponsorship will be withdrawn at either application stage or the point of offer, with any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
HOW TO APPLY & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
How to apply:
To apply for this post, you will need to provide the information requested below via the online application process.
You must fully complete and submit an online application via the website before the closing date using evidence based examples to demonstrate your knowledge/skills (300 words). Remember, your answers should be clear, concise and reflect what actions you undertook. You may want to use the STAR(R) approach to respond to each criterion.
Additional information:
Internal applicants must discuss their intention to apply with their line manager to help ensure early release.
External applicants will find further information in the “Person Specification” below:
The post is a full-time role, but staff with different working patterns are invited to apply, and we will assess proposed working patterns against the business requirements for this post.
In the event that further posts are required, a reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for up to 12 months.
For information regarding this post please contact:
Scottish Government’s ambition is to be a world leading, diverse employer where people can be themselves at work. We want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any adjustments to our recruitment process, please let us know via scottishgovernmentrecruitment@gov.scot
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Personal information you provide in the recruitment process will be made available to Scottish Government and our additional data processors.