Project Assistant (Finding Nemo Project)

Location: Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW

THIS POST COULD BE CONSIDERED AS A SECONDMENT OPPORTUNITY

About the role

A six-month Project Assistant, based at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, is required to assist in the delivery of a project (Finding Nemo) funded by the Oxford University Digital Humanities initiative. The project aims at establishing the knowledge base to unravel biases in crustacean species eponyms (i.e. animal species named after persons), focussing in on symbiotic Decapoda (crabs, shrimp, lobsters and their allies) and by contrasting semantic (societal, historical) and biological influences. 

The post holder will form part of an international team (UK, Netherlands, Belgium) data mining an extensive pdf library of relevant literature, combined with further internet and library searches, constructing a list of biological and semantic information to be extracted from the primary taxonomic literature and transferring the required information to an online database (marinespecies.org). 

The position would suit a recent humanities graduate with an interest in digital humanities or a biology graduate, interested in biodiversity informatics. The position is flexible in focus and can be targeted to the research interest of the successful applicant. 

This is a full-time, fixed-term position, working 36.5 hours per week for six months. This role supports a hybrid working model – please expect a minimum of two days per week on-site. This role is subject to a satisfactory basic Disclosure and Barring Service check. 

About You

You will be a recent humanities graduate with an interest in digital humanities or a recent biology graduate, interested in biodiversity informatics. Computer-literate, with a good level of knowledge of online and physical literature search systems, you will enjoy working as part of a team to collaborate on developing research questions, and deliver a project on time. 

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days of annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans 

More information is available at https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits 

Diversity

Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave. 

How to apply

You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting evidence form using the attached template as part of your online application. Your supporting evidence form should list each of the essential and desirable selection criteria, as listed in the job description, and explain how you meet each one. Both documents must be submitted to be considered. 

Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (GMT) on Friday 3 January 2025 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on Tuesday 14 January 2025.

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