Restoration Forth Research Associate

Grade and Salary

• Grade 7 - £37,694 - £47,389 per annum (pro rata)
• FTE and working pattern: Part time (0.5FTE/ 17.5 hours per week), Fixed term for 15 months which the possibility of extension

Reward and Benefits

• 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days (pro rata)
• Hybrid Heriot-Watt (0.5FTE) & Balanced Horizon (0.5FTE)
• This advert is for the 50% HWU share of the position. The overall position is full-time, and the aligned 50% Balanced Horizon position is filled through the same recruitment process and does not require a separate application
• The Restoration Forth Associate role, based across both Heriot-Watt University and Balanced Horizon’s Forth Marine Hatchery, will coordinate between the two institutions to optimise hatchery production by integrating the latest academic evidence into practical hatchery operations, ensuring that production methods remain evidence-based and responsive to emerging research.
• The postholder will support oyster restoration by coordinating the sourcing and transport of pre-weathered oyster and scallop shells, securing the necessary authorisations from SEPA and assisting with site licence modifications in collaboration with Lochside Associates. They will liaise with hatcheries to secure larval supply, oversee biosecurity protocols and contribute to the development and refinement of novel pond systems for broodstock conditioning, nutrition, larval production and settlement using international best practices.
• A key aspect of the role will be to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of direct setting (spat-on-shell) as a restoration technique by establishing comparative survival baselines against conventional hatchery methods through field trials, monitoring and data analysis.
• The postholder will also collaborate closely with MCS and other project partners, including WWF, to organise community production workshops and create opportunities for students, interns and volunteers to develop their skills, contribute to applied research and support restoration activities. Through engagement with wider restoration networks, the role will promote knowledge exchange, consistency and the adoption of best practices across oyster restoration initiatives in Scotland.
• Overall, the position will act as a vital link between academic research and applied hatchery operations, translating scientific evidence into practical improvements that enhance hatchery production, strengthen restoration outcomes and build capacity within the sector.

Licensing applications & modifications

• Work with Lochside Associates to modify license sites for spat on shell.
• Apply for permission for experimental units at intertidal sites.
• Licenses & permissions for translocating larvae from EU hatchery.

Broodstock selection & biosecurity

Establish comparative monitoring baseline

Research optimisation of spat production

Survey restoration sites for natural spat fall

Sourcing pre-weathered oyster/scallop shells

Broodstock intake & monitoring

Optimise conditions for broodstock

Optimise successful larval production

Spat monitoring & evaluation

Assist with hatchery long term development

Organise a community production workshop

Build relationships with oyster hatcheries for larval supply

Network and collaborate

Contribute to career development of ECRs

Review & report on findings

Essential Criteria

Desirable Criteria

How to Apply

• Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV
• Applications can be submitted until 23:55 on Friday 25 September 2026.
• Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
• Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .
• We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.
• Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.