Research Scientist - Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS)

Job Purpose To undertake high-quality research within the University of Glasgow's Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS), one of the longest-running marine mammal disease surveillance systems in the world. For over thirty years SMASS has investigated the health and mortality of whales, dolphins, seals and other marine animals around Scotland's coast, and the postholder would become an integral part of that work.

Working with the Principal Investigator, the postholder will apply specialist scientific knowledge and independent investigation to the capture, structuring, visualisation and analysis of marine mammal strandings and pathology data, making a leading contribution to the scheme's research outputs, publications, funding applications and collaborative activities.

At Grade 7, the postholder will apply advanced specialist expertise to develop research methodologies, demonstrate a growing external research profile, and contribute to research leadership, supervision and wider academic activities.

Role Overview The postholder will support two complementary strands of work. The first is operational and analytical: leading the maintenance and continued development of the SMASS strandings database, necropsy portal and sample archives, overseeing the BeachTrack mobile application and its supporting data infrastructure, and producing the analysis, visualisations and outputs required for reporting, outreach and communication. The second is providing technical input to the LIFE CIBBRiNA project, scoping a harmonised, web-accessible database for sharing marine mammal and ETP (Endangered, Threatened and Protected) species strandings and bycatch data, in collaboration with the International Whaling Commission (IWC), ASCOBANS and European partners.

Beyond this core remit, the post offers scope to engage with the full breadth of SMASS activities, including strandings coordination and response, post-mortem examination, volunteer support, knowledge exchange and outreach. It will suit someone with a genuine interest in marine mammal pathology and the fieldwork that underpins it, and will include attendance at strandings and post-mortems.

Main Duties and Responsibilities Perform the following activities in conjunction with, and under the guidance of, the Principal Investigator:

Database management and development

• 1. Take a leading role in maintaining and developing the centralised relational SMASS database and necropsy portal, including oversight of the BeachTrack data infrastructure; lead and document updates and new features, working with the University of Glasgow Software Services (GUSS) development team to implement them.
• 2. Develop and embed pathological attributes within the database, applying an understanding of marine mammal pathophysiology to capture necropsy findings for curation, analysis and reporting.
• 3. Set and uphold data-entry standards, and undertake validation, quality assurance and curation of both new records and the historical strandings archive; harmonise and format data for statutory and international reporting, resolving data inconsistencies and maintaining consistent documentation and metadata throughout.
• 4. Contribute to the pathological and epidemiological coding and data entry of necropsy reports, and develop improved metrics and methodologies for diagnosing bycatch from pathology data.

Data analysis, interpretation and visualisation

• 5. Undertake statistical, temporal and spatial analysis of strandings data, including trend and time-series analysis.
• 6. Produce descriptive statistics, tables, figures and distribution maps, together with the analytical and interpretive content underpinning the quarterly and annual reports to government.
• 7. Develop tools, resources and outputs - including clear data visualisations and basic spatial and mapping (GIS) outputs - that support the exploration, interpretation and communication of the scheme's scientific, statutory and communication needs.

European data harmonisation (technical input and scoping)

• 8. Provide technical input to the scoping of a harmonised, web-accessible database for collating and assessing marine mammal and ETP species strandings and bycatch data at a European scale, defining the technical requirements to meet the monitoring needs of the relevant case studies.
• 9. Liaise closely with the IWC, which holds responsibility for delivery of the harmonised database, and advise on the data structures, harmonisation protocols and coding schemes required for consistency across national schemes and marine regions.
• 10. Coordinate with participating countries and assist regional organisations (such as the IWC, ICES and ASCOBANS) in the transition to, and active use of, a Global Strandings Database.

Data requests, external data flows and statutory reporting

• 11. Handle external data and sample-access requests, providing extracts and summaries to researchers, collaborators, the Marine Directorate and partner organisations in line with institutional and data-protection requirements.
• 12. Maintain the public data and sample catalogue and the data dashboard, ensuring data integrity, accessibility and currency.
• 13. Compile, format and submit, in a timely manner, statutory and international data returns, including the data-sharing, reporting and compliance obligations owed to UK CSIP and to international bodies (MSFD, OSPAR, ICES, ASCOBANS and the IWC) under the relevant memoranda of understanding.
• 14. Support and train SMASS staff and volunteers in data entry and use of the database, communicating data processes and issues clearly to non-technical colleagues.

Strandings response, volunteer support and operations

• 15. Participate in SMASS field strandings response, including the on-call coordination rota, and assist with necropsies, sample processing and archiving, including out-of-hours work in field and beach conditions.
• 16. Assist the SMASS volunteer training coordinator in delivering training courses for the volunteer network.
• 17. Provide administrative support to the SMASS programme, including the ordering and management of stock and consumable levels.
• 18. Develop and maintain digital content and tools to enhance the online presence and accessibility of the SMASS programme.

Research, communication and professional development

• 19. Collaborate with internal and external partners to advance the research aims of SMASS and the broader strategic goals of the University of Glasgow and associated research networks, including contributing to publications, presentations, public engagement and the identification of future funding as opportunities allow.
• 20. Engage in continuing professional development, keep up to date with advances in the field, and contribute to the enhancement of the University's international profile in line with its strategic plan.
• 21. Undertake any other relevant duties, commensurate with the grade and nature of the post, as directed by the Principal Investigator.

For appointment at Grade 7, in addition to the above:

• 22. Take a leading role in developing the underpinning research methodologies that deliver high-quality research deliverables aligned with the scheme's and the School's priorities, exercising a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility.
• 23. Take a leading role in translating research outputs and analytical findings into clear concepts, insights and key messages for diverse audiences, maintaining an active portfolio of communication outputs across appropriate digital platforms and engagement channels.
• 24. Keep abreast of emerging methods, technologies and infrastructure, advising senior colleagues on opportunities and gaps and recommending plans for growth and sustainability.
• 25. Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research, contribute to grant applications and research proposals, and mentor colleagues and junior researchers.

Deliverables

• 1. Reliable, well-documented delivery and maintenance of the SMASS strandings data and sample archive, with pathological attributes embedded and a suite of data visualisations and reporting outputs in regular use.
• 2. A scoping report for the European harmonised database, detailing the proposed architecture and data-sharing protocols developed as technical input to the IWC-led delivery.
• 3. Established and documented harmonised data-sharing protocols to inform the consortium's adoption of the central database.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience Knowledge/Qualifications Essential

• A1 SCQF level 10 (Honours degree) in a relevant subject or a cognate discipline (e.g. veterinary medicine, biological or marine science, or ecological data management), or an equivalent combination of relevant training and demonstrable practical experience - including, where relevant, a veterinary or medical qualification.
• A2 Demonstrable understanding of research design appropriate to the discipline, and familiarity with marine animal (or comparable) pathology and post-mortem examination - whether through a veterinary or medical background, formal training, or clear practical experience. Formal veterinary, medical or pathology training is not required, but applicants must be familiar with pathological material and nomenclature.
• A3 A genuine interest in marine mammal strandings and a willingness to participate in field response and necropsy.
• A4 Up-to-date knowledge of the legislative requirements applicable to the role, including but not limited to Health and Safety and data protection (GDPR).
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