About the job

Job summary

If you have an interest in the marine environment and would like to play a part in ensuring the protection of Scotland's marine environment, then we would like to hear from you. 

An exciting part time (17.5 hours per week) opportunity for a Fisheries Data Analyst in our Science, Evidence, Digital and Data (SEDD) portfolio which sits within the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate.

The post will support the fish stock assessment and advisory responsibilities of the SEDD portfolio and will work largely within the Stock Assessment Team. The main role of the post will be the collation and analysis of fishery and survey data for use in stock assessment and for evaluating potential measures for sustainable fisheries management, covering a range of marine fish and shellfish stocks. There may also be the opportunity to participate in fieldwork such as offshore research vessel surveys and in international scientific meetings.  This post  will be expected to work flexibly and adapt to changing priorities where necessary. 

The main focus of the Stock Assessment Team is the provision of regular assessments of stock status for marine fish and shellfish stocks which provide the basis for scientific advice on fisheries management.  It is part of the Sea Fisheries (SF) Delivery Area of the SEDD portfolio. The SF Delivery Area is also responsible for the collection and quality assurance of fishery and survey sampling data which underpin the fish stock assessment and advisory process.

This is an exciting opportunity to work as part of a flexible, inclusive, welcoming and supportive team, where you will have the opportunity to develop specialist skills in fish stock assessment/ data analysis and an understanding of sustainable fisheries management.

Currently there are eight scientists with skills in stock assessment, statistical analysis and population modelling who contribute to the work of the Stock Assessment Team.

This is a 24 month Fixed Term Appointment with no possibility of extension.

Job description

• Quality checking and collation of fisheries data utilising the R programming language
• Interrogating databases to provide data in response to both routine and ad hoc requests
• Analysis of fish survey and biological data to support stock assessments and the evaluation of potential management options
• Contributing to scientific reports and communicating the results of analysis

Person specification

1. Relevant experience or training in a biological or quantitative science, with evidence of strong numerical ability and an understanding of fish stock assessment.
2. Familiarity with the R programming environment (or similar), particularly with respect to running and editing scripts, and manipulating and visualising data.
3. Good written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate results and write scientific reports.
4. An understanding of relevant (fishery/survey) data collection methods

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £16,070, Scottish Government contributes £4,338 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Sift and Interview dates TBC
Please apply using the link provided

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.