Principal Fisheries Acoustician, CEFAS
Lowestoft, UK
The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) is recruiting for a Principal Fisheries Acoustician to join their team in Lowestoft.
This post provides an exciting opportunity to work with internationally respected and dynamic colleagues across the Fisheries and Ecosystem Directorates, conducting and leading on fisheries and ecosystem science in support of assessments and advice to national and international organisations. As a principal scientist, the successful applicant will lead on fisheries acoustic monitoring and Research and Development as part of a range of Government, Research Council and internationally funded projects.
You will apply your extensive knowledge and technical understanding of fisheries acoustic data collection, calibration, processing and post-processing, experience of working on research vessels with experience on commercial vessels desirable. As a recognised expert in fisheries acoustics, you will provide science leadership, including through peer-reviewed papers and contributions to relevant working group/expert group reports. The role involves leadership in the delivery of projects as well as development and promotion of traditional and innovative applications of fisheries acoustic technologies to monitor fish and wider ecosystems.
You will proactively engage with a range of customers and stakeholders and collaborators including Defra, ICES, academia and the fishing industry in support of Cefas’ acoustic capability. You will work with colleagues, to provide scientific input and leadership to a range of programmes, developing, maintaining, and managing a dynamic acoustic science area that contributes to a growing number of pelagic fisheries studies, including ecosystem surveys and monitoring impacts of, for example, windfarms.
Personal Specification/ Essential Criteria
The following are essential criteria required for this role and you must be able to demonstrate your skills and experience in the following areas:
- Leadership in fisheries acoustic science, including managing a team and work programme
- Application of statistical /mathematical programming and data analysis
- Seagoing experience on fisheries acoustic surveys, including in leadership position.
- Calibration of echosounders on vessels and/or other platforms
- Processing of acoustic signal with echo integration software (e.g. Echoview)
- Post-processing acoustic- and biological data to calculate biomass information (e.g. StoX)
- Effective communicator, verbally and in writing, with the ability to distil complex scientific advice into information suitable for a diverse range of audiences including authoring peer-review articles and reports
- Be innovative, well-motivated and flexible
- Exceptional inter-personal communication skills, with an ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team, sharing knowledge and expertise
- The role involves fieldwork, and candidates will therefore need an excellent understanding of health and safety on research vessels
- In addition, the successful applicant must be able to demonstrate self-motivation and must be able to work with a high degree of autonomy.
More information
For more information on this position including a full job description and how to apply, please visit the website here.
Applications close
Monday 17 November 2025.
