Epidemiological Researcher (Aquaculture)

An excellent opportunity now exists for a field epidemiologist to join the SRUC Epidemiology Research Unit (ERU) based in Inverness.  The successful applicant will join an interdisciplinary, cross-institutional team on a project which seeks to improve our understanding of the factors that drive gill disease.  The project will also create evidence-based information and decision support tools regarding gill disease and fish husbandry.  Importantly, the post holder will be expected to engage positively and effectively with collaborators and stakeholders of varied backgrounds, including salmon producers and farm workers, veterinarians, industry representatives, and other scientists.  The post holder will play a key role in the development of a new, long-term programme of work in the application of epidemiology in aquatic animal health, and will have the opportunity to travel throughout the highlands of Scotland.

SRUC is unique in Scotland and one of the largest organisations of its kind in Europe.  Our ambitious and exciting vision is to work at local, national and international levels, leading innovation and sustainable development in agriculture and rural sectors. The Epidemiology Research Unit is well established and has a record of research and provision of decision support information in the fields of population medicine and food safety.  The unit includes veterinary epidemiologists, microbiologists, data managers, statistical and mathematical modellers, and has close ties to economists and industry stakeholders.

The duration of current funding for this post is three years.  For the right candidate, the possibility of an extension to the contract will be considered, dependent upon achievement and subject to the availability of further funding.

The successful applicant will either be a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons or have a PhD degree in a field relevant to the post (for example, epidemiology, aquaculture, veterinary public health, aquatic veterinary studies, aquatic pathobiology, or a closely related field); will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills; and should be able to demonstrate skills in field research and quantitative analysis of biological data. Further details may be found at the SRUC website.