Senior Research Associate: Marine Field Ecology for AI-Enabled Behavioural Monitoring

An exciting opportunity for a marine field ecologist to lead data collection and research across reef systems globally and UK coastal waters as part of the BEACON project to harness animal behaviour as an early warning system for conservation. Location: Lancaster. Substantial fieldwork on coral reefs and UK coastal waters required. Contract length: 2 years. We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced marine field ecologist to lead field data collection and contribute to the ecological research programme within BEACON (Behavioural Ecology AI for CONservation action), a new interdisciplinary research programme funded by UKRI. BEACON will develop the first integrated AI-enabled system for monitoring ecosystems and guiding conservation decisions through changes in animal behaviour. You will work closely with the PI (Dr Sally Keith) and an interdisciplinary team to plan, coordinate and successfully complete fieldwork with international partners across multiple biogeographic regions. You will lead analysis of field data and take a leading role in publishing findings as appropriate. The role includes supporting the transfer of the monitoring pipeline to UK coastal waters and behavioural monitoring of wrasse in marine protected areas. We are looking for someone with a passion for understanding how animal behaviour shapes ecosystems, and the drive to develop new skills at the interface of field ecology and AI. You should have a PhD in marine ecology, reef ecology or a related discipline, with strong experience in underwater field ecology in tropical and/or UK coastal settings. Essential skills include experience with underwater survey methods, a recognised advanced SCUBA diving certification (e.g., HSE Professional SCUBA, PADI Divemaster), experience leading field teams in remote locations and management of large datasets. Experience with photogrammetry, acoustic monitoring or field experiments in marine systems is desirable. You must have a proactive and enthusiastic approach, strong interpersonal skills, willingness to undertake fieldwork in remote international locations for extended periods, and a commitment to interdisciplinarity, open science and responsible AI. You will join a growing interdisciplinary team within the LEC-REEFS research group linked strongly to the Data Science and AI Institute @Lancaster (DSAIL), working alongside AI specialists, behavioural ecologists and conservation practitioners. You will work with an international network of partners including the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, Prof Sergio Floeter (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina), Dr José Paula (University of Lisbon), Cefas, Natural England, Renew Earth and the ReefRUV Network spanning multiple countries and biogeographic regions. The post offers considerable scope for developing original ecological insights across an international network of reef systems. Dedicated training and mentoring will enable the successful candidate to develop practical AI skills, allowing them to work confidently at the interface of behavioural ecology and AI. Lancaster University is a research-intensive university, ranked in the top 1% of universities globally and in the top 10 in the UK. Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) is a large and multidisciplinary department tackling environmental challenges across the natural and social sciences, with strengths in high-diversity tropical systems. LEC offers a highly collegial and stimulating environment for career development based on departmental values and embedded Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) considerations and actions. We are committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies on an individual basis as well as the Athena SWAN Charter, which recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education and research. Furthermore, we are active and progressive around sustainability, wellbeing and decolonising agendas. EDI is strongly embedded within LEC-REEFS and DSAIL, and we actively work to create an inclusive environment where researchers from all backgrounds can thrive. We are committed to inclusive fieldwork practices and will work with the successful candidate to plan fieldwork schedules compatible with personal circumstances where possible. We recognise that career paths are not always linear and welcome applications from candidates who have taken career breaks or worked outside academia. We welcome informal enquiries about flexible working arrangements, and applicants from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. We anticipate shortlisting in September 2026, with interviews shortly thereafter. The successful candidate is expected to start in Jan 2027. What to include in each document of your application: CV: Please include a 2-page CV. You do not have to include publications in this document. Publication List: Please include a complete list of all publications. You may include publications that are accepted and not yet published, but please do not include publications that are in review or in submission. Cover Letter: Please outline why you are interested specifically in this position, how it fits with your career goals, and describe any ideas you have for methodological or scientific developments that could strengthen the project. Maximum 800 words. Supporting Statements: Please provide a supporting statement for each Personal Specification point that is listed as being scored via “Supporting Statements”. This should include examples that provide evidence of your experience and expertise. Please write one paragraph per criteria, with each paragraph limited to 200 words. Referees: Please include contact information for at least two referees. Further enquiries: Informal enquiries about the scope of the research or working arrangements are welcome to Dr Sally Keith (sally.keith@lancaster.ac.uk). Such enquiries are not necessary as part of the application and will not inform any decision. Applications without prior enquiry are welcome and will not be disadvantaged.