Quantitative River Restoration Scientist / Hydrologist Dublin, Ireland
DESCRIPTION
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has an exciting vacancy for a Quantitative Hydromorphologist to join our Research and Development (R&D) division. This role will be part of our Data & Modelling team but will work with our Barrier Mitigation Research Programme (BMRP) also. They will be responsible for modelling flow dynamics and changes in habitat before and after mitigation measures are implemented for barriers to fish migration.
The Barrier Mitigation Research project will provide evidence of benefits of barrier mitigation to both available flow regime, sediment transport, fish migration and habitat availability. The work will involve both desk and occasional field investigations and there will be a requirement to produce detailed scientific reports and papers on the progress of the project.
The ideal candidate will have both academic and practical experience in either hydrology and/or hydraulic and/or sediment transport and/or fish habitat and/or spatial modelling, as well as experience of planning and executing applied scientific studies. They will be particularly skilled at working across different teams.
This role will be based in Citywest, Dublin and one of the other IFI regional offices; Clonmel, Tipperary / Macroom, Cork / Limerick City, Limerick / Galway City, Galway / Ballina, Mayo / Ballyshannon, Donegal.
The role may be predominantly based in one of the IFI regional offices listed above, however due to operational demands, there will be a requirement to operate from the IFI HQ at Citywest, Dublin.
IFI are proud to offer a hybrid working policy, more details of which will be shared with prospective candidates at interview.
There may also be considerable travelling and residing in locations across Ireland, whilst conducting field work in all weather conditions. Travelling on a daily or weekly basis will be a requirement. Transport will be provided for field duties and if applicable, depending on location, full Civil Service subsistence rates will be paid when on field duties.
The work will require frequent physical exertion while conducting field activities, including walking over rough, uneven terrain, lifting equipment, wading in streams/rivers and working in boats.
ABOUT US
Inland Fisheries Ireland are the environmental agency responsible for protecting, managing and conserving Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
More information can be found by visiting our website.
VISION, MISSION & VALUES
Vision
To place the inland fisheries resource in the best sustainable position possible for the benefit of future generations.
Mission
To protect, manage and conserve Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources and to maximise their sustainability and natural biodiversity.
Values
We work collaboratively with professionalism
We are open, transparent and accountable
We act with respect and integrity
We are committed to stewardship and sustainability
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The main responsibilities of the Quantitative Hydromorphologist will include;
Working with the Barrier Mitigation Research Programme (BMRP) Research Officer and colleagues to carry out the data analysis required
Developing a monitoring strategy to ensure adequate data is collected over the project lifespan to enable high level modelling
Analysing data on the physical habitat setting (hydraulics, bed material, channel morphology, water temperature) and model expected responses at pre and/or post barrier mitigation locations
Supporting the IFI barrier mitigation team with analysis and review of technical reports
Research
Undertaking innovative research to bridge a significant knowledge gap related to the impact of barriers to fish migration on our natural river systems
Collaborating with the wider hydromorphology team, including the barrier assessment programme
Focusing on documenting the restoration of river functioning and processes
Data Collection
Liaising with the BMRP team to collect relevant abiotic, environmental and biotic data to support the data modelling
Using new or existing technologies where appropriate to support the programme
Developing/refining appropriate sampling methods in line with best practice
Data Processing
Maintaining raw data and all other records in a clear concise manner, and in line with IFI’s database structure
Data mining and aggregation of diverse datasets to parameterise and validate models and or analyses
Estimating river discharge/hydraulics from flow profilers, probes and gauges
Data Analysis
Undertaking data analysis, including using relevant process-based and statistical modelling techniques
Developing predictive models to investigate the effect of barriers on water flow, sediment and seasonality, being cognizant of the fish migration and habitat use
Reporting & Communication
Contributing to reports, management briefs and scientific publications linked with the programme
Attending Steering Committee meetings and providing project updates when required
Communicating positively and effectively with internal and external stakeholders
Management
Managing, mentoring, training and motivating research staff, encouraging high performance and contributing to a culture of continual improvement
Account management and monitoring to ensure programme is completed within the allocated budget, including reporting on a quarterly basis
Tendering and procurement of equipment
Provision of workplans and timelines
Compiling standard operating procedures (SOPs) for any new work activities
Liaising with the agencies involved in hydromorphology and barrier mitigation in Ireland and other groups as required
Supporting IFI Barrier mitigation team with planning the mitigation programme
Other Responsibilities
Carrying out other responsibilities as may be assigned to the post from time to time by the Senior Research Officer
Note: The above attempts to outline in a broad sense the range of duties associated with the Research Officer post. However other duties may arise as the requirements of the project and our stakeholders change over time.
REQUIREMENTS
The ideal candidate will have the following;
Essential
A recognised third-level qualification, at a minimum level of NFQ Level 7, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline
A full Category B driving licence that is valid in Ireland
A strong expertise in IT skills, to include MS Office, GIS software and relevant statistical packages such as R Stats
Demonstrable experience and good knowledge of hydraulic modelling and/or hydrology and/or spatial modelling and/or fish habitat modelling and/or spatial stream network models
Experience in freshwater ecology, fluvial geomorphology and hydrology
Knowledge and understanding of ecosystems, aquatic ecology, restoration, hydrology, geomorphology and general environmental issues
Working knowledge of survey design and experimental design
Demonstrable experience in report writing and scientific writing for peer-review journals, etc.
The ability to independently perform difficult and responsible scientific work
Excellent attention to detail with the ability to spot errors and question information received
Desirable
A recognised third-level qualification, at a minimum level of NFQ Level 8, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline
A recognised postgraduate qualification, at a minimum level of NFQ Level 9, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline, such as but not limited to; landscape ecology, fluvial geomorphology or river hydrology and hydraulics
A full Category BE driving licence that is valid in Ireland
Demonstrable experience of field survey and data collection in aquatic habitats, as well as of working outdoors in all weathers
At least two scientfic papers published in a relevant scientific field, where they are the named first author
Experience in flow velocity profiling, using ADCP equipment and working with hydrologic and hydraulic data
Experience developing or using fish habitat suitability models or developing environmental flows for fish species
Experience in using remote technology (e.g. temperature loggers, data buoys, etc.)
REMUNERATION The salary scale for the position is at the level of Higher Executive Officer as applies in Inland Fisheries Ireland, it is a 9 point scale including 2 long service increments (LSI’s): Point 1 €52,950; Point 2 €54,518; Point 3 €56,093; Point 4 €57,661; Point 5 €59,238; Point 6 €60,814; Point 7; €62,387 LSI 1 €64,662; LSI 2 €66,931 (IFI HEO Grade Payscale as of 01.03.2023). Candidates should note that salary will not be subject to negotiation and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. New entrants to the public sector will start on point 1 subject to Haddington Road Agreement and subsequent Government Agreements. TENURE This post is offered on a 2-Year Specified Purpose Contract basis, which is linked to funding. There is a strong possibility of further future funding. APPLICATIONS A cover letter and up to date Curriculum Vitae should be submitted by midnight on Monday 02nd October 2023. Late applications will not be processed. Short listing will be based on information provided in the Cover Letter and CV. Canvassing will disqualify. Inland Fisheries Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.
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