Post:
TCV Natural Talent Traineeship – Saline Lagoons
Bursary:
£12,510.60
Location:
National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh
Mentors:
Fiona Ware
Duration:
12 months
Start date:
25th January 2016
Closing date for Applications: 23rd October 2015
Thank you for your interest in the Natural Talent UK traineeship scheme. This scheme is
funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
How to apply
Full details on how to apply and application forms can be found at
http://www.tcv.org.uk/jobs/latest-job-vacancies
Please read through this traineeship description thoroughly, completing an application
form (available on request or on-line and to download) showing how you meet the criteria
outlined in the Skills & Experience section of this document and any other information you
feel is relevant.
Project background
Natural Talent UK aims to increase expertise across the whole of the UK to protect our less
well known species and create awareness of the habitats that supports them. The
programme responds to identified skills shortages in the conservation sector by providing
trainees with the opportunity to develop an expertise in a specific taxonomic group, habitat
or a mixture of both. Natural Talent UK will also increase the capacity of volunteers and
communities to play an active role in surveying, mapping and taking an action to increase
the biodiversity value of their local places.
Saline lagoons are bodies of water that are wholly or partially separated from the nearby sea
by narrow channels, underwater sills, culverts, sluices or banks of shingle. The salinity of the
enclosed water may be hyper-saline, saline, brackish or almost freshwater and can fluctuate
dramatically with tidal cycles and in response to seasons and rainfall or as distance from the
influence of the sea increases.
It is this variable salinity that gives rise to distinctive biological communities. The
invertebrates and plants that thrive in saline lagoons include marine species that are
tolerant of low salinity, freshwater species that are tolerant of high salinity and highly
adapted lagoon specialists that are rarely found elsewhere. Saline lagoons are recognised as
a priority habitat type under Annex I of the EC Habitats Directive and the importance of
lagoon specialists to biodiversity is also recognised in UK conservation legislation.
In-house training at National Museums Scotland will combine specialist advice with access to
laboratory, microscopy, collection, computing and library facilities. The trainee will gain
experience of identification, taxonomy, ecology and biogeography of saline lagoon
invertebrates and plants and closely related marine species. They will undertake fieldwork
and be introduced to a range of different sampling and surveying methods. They will
generate a voucher specimen collection which will be available in perpetuity to researchers
and the biological recording community and records which will assist with assessing
conservation priorities. There may also be the opportunity to work alongside organisations
such as Scottish Natural Heritage in contributing to a monitoring strategy for saline lagoons.
The trainee will have opportunities to engage at least 5 communities in identification and
survey techniques. Initially the trainee will help to deliver events developed by National
Museums Scotland staff but will also have the opportunity to develop and lead the delivery
of events in the community – possible partners include Buglife, Inner Forth Landscape
Initiative, Orkney Field Club and Highland Biodiversity Seashore Partnership.
Training
The traineeship will provide training in:
 The identification of saline lagoon invertebrates and plants and closely related
marine species
 The use of identification manuals, keys and microscopes
 Specimen preservation techniques and preparation of voucher specimens
 Risk assessment procedures
 Survey planning and logistics
 Field surveys and recording techniques
 Team working
 Working with partner organisations and the public
 Managing data and record databases
 Report writing
 Community engagement
 Taxonomy and systematics
 Species identification
 Ecological surveying, analysis and monitoring
 Communicating results
Person specification
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
Qualifications:
No formal qualifications necessary although
candidates will have to demonstrate knowledge of
some aspect of the natural environment and their
enthusiasm for this traineeship
A passion and enthusiasm for protecting
and conserving the natural environment
Experience:
Some experience of working in practical conservation
General field surveying techniques
Experience of fieldwork
Some knowledge and experience of the
intertidal habitat
Applicants will have some knowledge, background
and understanding of the marine environment
Skills :
Good working knowledge of basic IT software
packages
An understanding of Citizen Science
activities
Ability to work independently and as part of
a team
General field surveying
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Microscopy skills
An understanding of the use of identification keys,
using microscopes and identifying specimens to
species level
Confidence in enthusing, encouraging and
supporting communities to take part in
Citizen Science activities
Personal Qualities:
Motivated, enthusiastic and willing to learn
A demonstrable passion for natural environments
and species conservation
Methodical with an eye for detail
Willing and able to work on rocky and muddy shores
Other:
A full, clean driving licence