Paid ecological surveying opportunity for students

3 May 2023

Students are invited to apply to be part of a 6-week project undertaking woodland surveys this summer in the Peak District Dales. This is a great opportunity to get paid work experience in the conservation science sector whilst developing your practical survey skills in some beautiful and scientifically significant ravine woodland habitats this summer.

Harper Adams University has recently secured a contract to carry out survey work as part of the LIFE in the Ravines project managed by Natural England. This project is centred within the ravine woodlands of the Peak District Dales Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The project has received funding from the European Union’s LIFE Programme, to restore these ravine woodlands and mitigate the effects of ash dieback. The project area encompasses approximately 900ha of the 2,326ha SAC which are designated as Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines woodland. This priority habitat is of international importance and is found across 10 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the Peak District.

Applications are invited from undergraduates or postgraduate students to assist HAU staff with the collection of vegetation and soils data from multiple sites within the project area. Applicants need to be methodical, well organised, physically fit and willing to work in all weather conditions. Botanical skills are not essential but preferred, particularly the ability to identify a range of trees, woodland shrubs, grasses and flora to species level. One-site training and familiarisation with survey methodologies will be provided.

Surveys will take place between Monday 5th June and Friday 14th July 2023. Working days will be Monday – Friday where accommodation within the Peak District will be provided.

Applicants do not have to be available for the entire 6-week period but must be able to commit to single week-long (Mon-Fri) blocks working away from home. Travel between Harper Adams University and Derbyshire on Monday mornings and Friday evenings will also be provided in shared transport with university staff Successful applicants will be secured on a casual contract at a weekly rate of £623.45.

For further information please contact,

Nick Covarr or Paul O’Hagan

By no later than Friday 19th May 2023

For more information on the project:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/life-in-the-ravines