Post: TCV Natural Talent Traineeship - Mudflat Trainee

Bursary:£13,500

Location:World Museum, Liverpool - Seaforth Nature Reserve, Port of Liverpool

Mentors:Dr Geraldine Reid (World Museum), Sally Tapp (Lancashire Wildlife Trust)

Duration:12 months

Start date:3rdApril 2017

Closing date for Applications:9th March 2017

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

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 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.

Intertidal mudflats might seem to be vast, bleak, impoverished open spaces – wastelands where nothing could possibly live or want to live. But, nothing could be further from the truth, they account for a massive 50% of the primary productivity of estuaries. The trainee will develop the specialist identification and engaging communication skills necessary to open eyes and minds to the productive beauty of these visually compelling landscapes and complex ecosystems.

Specialised identification skills will be developed through fieldwork and by using World Museum’s unique resources which include 1.5 million reference specimens, laboratory facilities, an extensive library and in-house expertise in both the flora and fauna of the estuaries.

Given its location overlooking Liverpool Bay, Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s facility, within Seaforth Nature Reserve in the Port of Liverpool, will provide an excellent base for field work and community engagement. The Trainee will:

  • Become familiar with the sessile and motile benthic intertidal fauna and flora of the estuarine mudflats, which is dominated by invertebrates and algae, predominantlydiatoms.
  • Investigate the biodiversity of the interstices between mud particles.
  • Learn to identify and recognise estuarine birds.
  • Recognise macro-algae growing on the mudflats as indicator species of eutrophication.
  • Become familiar with muddy muds and muddy sands gaining valuable field experience in these different habitat types.

By contributing to Lancashire Wildlife Trust's marine community engagement programme in North Merseyside, the Trainee will utilise newly learned identification skills to inform local habitat management decisions within the local environment and help to preserve and promote intertidal mudflats, especially by the use of social media.

The Trainee will develop the following transferable skills:

  • Using identification manuals, keys and microscopes.
  • Specimen preservation techniques and preparation of voucher specimens.
  • Health and Safety protocols including risk assessment procedures.
  • Survey planning and logistics.
  • Field surveys and recording techniques.
  • Team working and working with volunteers.
  • Working with partner organisations and the public.
  • Managing data and record databases.
  • Report writing.
  • Constructive and effective use of social media.
  • Verbal and written communication aimed at engaging a wide range of audiences.
  • Public speaking.
  • Engaging with marginalised communities.
  • Delivering Citizen Science in communities

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 the traineeship / A passion and enthusiasm for marine biology and protecting and conserving our natural environment
Experience:
An understanding of UK habitats and conservation issues.
An interest in invertebrate or lower plant ecology and general understanding of invertebrate or lower plant taxonomy. / General field surveying techniques for invertebrates or lower plants.
A deeper understanding of one or more taxonomic groups.
Skills :
Applicants must have a good working knowledge of basic IT software packages (e.g. MS Office).
Applicants must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, being able to work as part of a small team.
Applicants must have strong writing and analytical skills. / Be comfortable with the use of identification keys, using microscopes and identifying specimens to species level
Have experience of creating and running Access databases would be very beneficial
  • Experience of working outdoors (e.g. on a nature conservation project)

Personal Qualities:
Applicants will have to demonstrate that they have the dedication and commitment to work on their own initiative to complete the traineeship to a high standard.
Be willing to undertake various tasks including microscopy, data processing and fieldwork.
Being flexible about early starts and being away undertaking fieldwork from time to time.
Other:
Although some natural history knowledge is preferable, motivation, enthusiasm, excellent communication skills and drive are the most important qualities in a potential applicant. / Some experience of engaging others with nature and experience of participating in Citizen science activities
A full, clean driving license