Short-term Field Assistants – Tree and Invertebrate Ecology

We are seeking to appoint four fulltime field assistants to assist with the collection of
phenological data for trees and phytophagous insects for 12 weeks in spring 2024. Duties will
include (i) carrying out drones flights to collect remotely sensed tree phenology data, (ii),
collecting data on the timing of spring budburst of deciduous trees and the abundance of
phytophagous insects, (iii) assisting with winter moth field experiments, and (iv) inputting
data collected in the field. These positions with run from approximately Monday 25th
March to Friday 14th June.

All fieldwork will take place in Wytham Woods, near Oxford. The work pattern is likely to
involve a regular schedule of two days of work, followed by a day off, and will therefore
involve working some weekend days.

All successful candidates must be able to demonstrate skill and enthusiasm for ecological
research as well as experience of fieldwork under arduous conditions, and both lone fieldwork
and working as part of a team. Experience collecting phenological data, working with drones and
driving off-road vehicles is desirable, but not essential. Due to the short-term nature of
these posts, successful applicants must already have the right to work in the
UK.

Salary & Accommodation: Field assistants will be paid at grade 5.2
(£15.60/hour) and responsible for finding their own accommodation. It will be possible to hire
accommodated at the Wytham Chalet, a research station within Wytham Woods (single or bunk rooms
with access to shared facilities). Alternatively, field assistants can find private
accommodation locally and use their own transport to commute to the woods (approx. 30 min by
car or bike, depending on location).

Please submit an application, consisting of (1) a covering letter explaining relevant
experience and motivation, (2) a CV (max 2 pages), and the names of two people who can be
contacted as referees, by Friday 9th Feb 2024 to
[email protected]. Interviews will be held remotely 19-21st Feb.
Informal inquiries can be emailed to Dr Ella Cole ([email protected]). For more
details about the project see www.wythamtits.com