Research Assistant in Acoustic Data Collection and Analysis for Invasive Insect Species

About the role 

We are seeking a Research Assistant to join the HumBug research project team at the Department of Biology. This UKRI-funded position is part-time (20 hours per week) and fixed-term until 31st August 2026.

Invasive insect species, such as the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) and Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), have the potential to outcompete or predate native species and spread diseases. As mobile devices increasingly support biodiversity monitoring, the acoustic detection and identification of insects allow us to expand the coverage of biodiversity monitoring in the UK.

About you 

The selected candidate will collect acoustic data in the field for the tiger mosquito and Asian hornet. They will collaborate closely with software engineers developing a mobile acoustic sensor and biologists providing ecological expertise and field collection guidance. The selected candidate will also help to analyse the data obtained in the field. Our objective is to create a versatile acoustic sensing system that can be customised for specific invasive species, including the Asian tiger mosquito and Asian hornet.

This role will require travel within the UK. 

You should hold a degree in Biology before starting and sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to work within established research programmes. Experience in field data collection and in handling bees in a laboratory setting is essential.

For more information and to apply (by 18 October 2024), please see the University of Oxford vacancies website: https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/ (vacancy ID 175791)