Functie-omschrijving
Onderzoeker-projectleider – bodem en water
Research Manager – Soil and Water
Nederland (Zaltbommel met mogelijkheid tot thuiswerken)
Deadline: 3 November 2022
Vacaturetekst: Onderzoeker-projectleider – bodem en water ( Research Manager – Soil and Water ) (earthwatch.org.uk)
Earthwatch is op zoek naar een ervaren onderzoeker-projectleider die de handen uit de mouwen wil steken om samen met boeren, burgers en beleidsmakers te werken aan het verbeteren van bodem, water en biodiversiteit in Nederland en daarbuiten. Earthwatch is een internationale groene NGO en onafhankelijk onderzoeksinstituut die zich inzet voor een duurzame samenleving. Wij doen dit door mensen in contact te brengen met natuur en samen natuurwaarden en vervuiling in kaart te brengen. We voeren wetenschappelijk onderzoek uit, trainen vrijwilligers in ‘citizen science’ methodes en brengen verschillende partijen bij elkaar. Samen werken we aan wetenschappelijk onderbouwde duurzame oplossingen. Ons hoofdkantoor staat in Oxford, Engeland. Het Nederlandse team is gevestigd in Zaltbommel en focust op de transitie naar duurzame landbouw en vergroening en klimaatadaptatie in bebouwd gebied.
About the role
Earthwatch is recruiting a Research Manager Soil and Water to run our citizen science-based soil and water research projects. We are looking for an experienced applied researcher with a good understanding of ecological and biochemical concepts and processes (soil health, nutrient cycling, water pollution and their relation to agricultural management, climate change and biodiversity). You will need to have extensive experience in conducting fieldwork, interpreting soil and water data and performing statistical and spatial data analysis. You are passionate about sustainability and experienced at leading groups, able to explain research methods and outcomes to lay audiences. You are a creative thinker, able to translate data into easily interpretable language and visuals, bringing new ideas to the table for practical tools and solutions that meet stakeholder needs.
You will focus on projects that support farmers and businesses in the agri-food sector to better understand and monitor their environmental impact, helping them to transition to more sustainable practices. In addition, you will support projects aimed at improving water quality and increasing urban biodiversity and climate adaptation.
Role Purpose:
Lead participative monitoring and citizen science research related to soil and water, focussing in particular on projects related to sustainable agriculture.
Key Deliverables:
- Independently deliver participative monitoring and citizen science projects related to water quality and soil health, with links to biodiversity, ensuring they are easy and inspiring to participate in, generate reliable data, inform environmental action and are delivered to a high standard, to time and within budget.
- Train and support citizen scientists, especially farmers, farm advisers and interested volunteers in-person and remotely and lead (co-)design workshops and sessions to share results and learning.
- Interpret field data, translating soil health and water quality measurements into meaningful insights for participants and partners both on the spot in the field and through communications (e.g. infographics, reports and presentations).
- Perform data quality checks and statistical and spatial data analyses.
- Automate data quality, analysis and reporting processes using GISsoftware and R.
- Undertake dissemination activities and represent Earthwatch and its projects externally to ensure project outputs and outcomes reach relevant decision makers within corporations, policy and the third sector. Work closely with Science, Policy and Innovation team (SPI) colleagues, the programme manager, the communications team and project partners to create maximum impact through a range of outputs, media channels and events including written reports, infographics and videos.
- Work closely with other members of the SPI team and the programme manager to evolve and expand our sustainable agriculture products and approaches, in particular building on our existing citizen science tools Freshwater Watch (https://freshwaterwatch.org/) and the Soil Health Toolkit as well as outcomes of several ongoing international research projects. Perform desk-studies and test user experiences, translating needs from various stakeholders into practical solutions.
- Participate in international research consortia, collaborating with academic and non-academic partners to align methods, share knowledge and link projects and datasets.
- (Co-) Author peer reviewed publications and present at (international) conferences and events to promote and disseminate scientific outputs in line with organisational needs and personal research interests.
- Stay well informed about current and upcoming issues, knowledge gaps and technologies relevant to your field of work.
- Contribute to bid writing (research funding and trusts and foundations) and provide subject matter support to the corporate development team, adhering to Earthwatch processes and standards
- Contribute to wider organisational priorities as required.
The above list of job deliverables is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
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Person Specification:
Essential
- Strong scientific background (PhD or equivalent applied research experience) in biochemistry, biology and/or agronomy with a sound understanding of nutrient and carbon cycles, water quality, soil health and biodiversity evidenced through a track-record of scientific writing and presentations.
- Track record in leading applied and impactful science projects, including practical fieldwork, data collection, -handling, – interpretation, – analysis and – reporting skills.
- Confident in handling and analysing data, combining large and complex datasets and running statistical analyses. Experience of GIS analyses and statistical modelling using R (further training opportunities are available).
- Demonstrable knowledge of key agricultural and environmental challenges, processes and developments relating to land management practices, biodiversity, climate change, nutrient-cycling, supply chains and food systems and experience working with farmers and stakeholders on these topics.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both Dutch and English.
- Strategic and creative thinker, able to convey information clearly and concisely and translate strategy and competing stakeholder needs into actionable plans which deliver against organisational objectives.
- A demonstrable passion for citizen science, good understanding of participant motivations and needs.
- Experience guiding groups of volunteers and/or students with an eye for participant safety and well-being.
- Excellent relationship management skills, good listener and track record of effective partnership management.
- Good understanding of fundraising processes.
- Flexible, self-motivated and goal-oriented, with the ability to work effectively in a remote team.
- Commitment to the mission and values of Earthwatch.
Desirable:
- Track record of relevant peer reviewed publications
- Demonstrable knowledge of national and international legislation and policy instruments, upcoming innovations and wider agendas relevant to sustainable and regenerative agriculture, soil health, water quality, biodiversity and climate change.
- An inspiring speaker with a demonstrable passion and enthusiasm for environmental issues, comfortable speaking in the media and at events to diverse audiences and communities.
- Experience designing and supporting the development of user-friendly technology tools (apps, websites), translating user needs into practical technology features.
- Previous line management experience and/or experience in teaching or mentoring in the environmental or natural science fields.
- Fluency in one or more European languages other than English and Dutch
Informatie
About Earthwatch Europe
Earthwatch is an environmental charity with science at its heart. We drive the change needed to live within our means and in balance with nature. We do this by connecting people with the natural world, monitoring the health of our natural resources, and informing the actions that will have the greatest positive impact. www.earthwatch.org.uk / www.earthwatch.nl
Earthwatch is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences. We welcome and encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply, and we will consider all applications fairly and consistently. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment – a place where individuality is embraced and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We value the benefits that different backgrounds, working approaches and ways of thinking can bring. Applicants must have the right to work in the The Netherlands and be proficient in Dutch as well as English; Earthwatch is unable to support visa applications. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
- Position Title: Research Manager – Soil and Water
- Location: Zaltbommel, Netherlands, with flexibility to work from home. Frequent travel in the Netherlands and occasional international travel will be required.
- Reports to: Director of Science, Policy and Innovation
- Direct reports: None to start with, but expected to manage research assistant(s) and student(s)/intern(s) in future
- Salary: €2580 – €3030 per month FTE (35 hours) depending on skills and experience + additional 8% holiday allowance paid monthly
- Hours: Full time (35 hours per week Monday – Friday) – part time option of min. 4 days per week will be considered for the right candidate
- Contract: Fixed term – 1 year with potential to extend contingent on project funding and requirements
- Deadline for applications: 3 November 2022
- Interviews: We will be reviewing applications as they come in, so we may interview suitable candidates ahead of the closing date.