Project coordinator and research assistant â Marine science and restoration (1056-26)

Project coordinator and research assistant – Marine science and restoration

Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK

An exciting opportunity exists for a project coordinator and research assistant position to support two large projects: 1) a Royal Society funded fellowship: Harnessing island-ocean connections to support ecosystems and people, and 2) a UKRI funded fellowship: Ensuring Transformative Ecosystem Restoration by the Private Sector.

Salary: Grade 6

Hours: 0.8 FTE

Location: Lancaster. Travel for fieldwork and project meetings as required.

Duration: 3 years with possibility of extension

We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to support the delivery of two research fellowships and the associated research teams:

A Royal Society Faraday Discovery Fellowship awarded to Prof Nick Graham to establish the Island-Ocean Research Hub. This new project will investigate island-ocean connectivity and the influence of seabird nutrients and island rewilding on island and marine ecology and ecosystem services. The project has collaborating parters at 4 other universities, fieldwork planned in 5 countries, and will employ a large team of researchers. Your role would support this fellowship for 0.5 FTE of your time (i.e. 2.5 days per week)

A UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship awarded to Dr Tim Lamont. This project will investigate mechanisms for scaling up tropical marine restoration (coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass), and the role of business sustainability initiatives in delivering large-scale ecosystem restoration. The project has collaborations with the world’s largest coral restoration programme (www.buildingcoral.com), and the private sector’s most widely used sustainability reporting standards (www.globalreporting.org). Your role would support this fellowship for 0.3 FTE of your time (i.e. 1.5 days per week)

The role will include elements of the following, along with general support for the two projects: Fieldwork planning to include risk assessments, diving safety, ethics and research permits; fieldwork support and possible involvement as research assistant; lab work and organisation; website and logo development and maintenance; social media and public engagement support; team cohesion and coordination including organising socials and retreats; team visas and other needs; workshop and meeting organisation; budget oversight and spending; help with reporting; data management and requests for data sharing; maintaining contact with project partners and collaborators; welcoming and inducting visitors and new group members. 

You will work closely with Nick Graham and Tim Lamont, collaborate with other members of the research team, and coordinate with project partners.

Preferred candidates will have experience in marine / biological science and/or project management. A proactive and enthusiastic approach and good interpersonal skills are essential. 

Lancaster University is a research-intensive university, ranked in the top 10 of UK universities. The Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) is a large and multidisciplinary department, tackling environmental challenges across the natural and social sciences. Within LEC, there is particular strength in high diversity tropical systems, including coral reefs and tropical rainforests. 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.

Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

We anticipate interviews will be held in November 2026. 

What to include in each document of your application:

Cover Letter Please discuss why you are interested specifically in this position, and how it fits with your career goals. Please also describe any skills and related experience you have developed that are relevant to this post. Word limit 500 words. 

CV Please include a 2-page CV.

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. Aim for one paragraph per criteria (~50-200 words).

Referees: Contact information for at least two referees. At this stage, only contact details are required for referees, not letters of support.

For more information, see the Further Information link below.

Informal enquiries for issues not covered in the further information to Nick Graham nick.graham@lancaster.ac.uk or Tim Lamont tim.lamont@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.

Closing Date: 30 Oct 2026

Department: Research

Salary: £33,002 to £37,694 part time indefinite with end date