Short-term Field Assistants: Bird Ecology – Spring 2026
We are seeking to appoint four full-time field assistants to work on the Wytham Tit Project for 4-8 weeks in spring 2026.
Two 8-week field assistants will join the nest monitoring team; duties for these posts will include (i) collecting standardised data from nest-box breeding populations of blue and great tits, (ii) catching and ringing parent birds, (iii) ringing nestlings, and (iv) inputting data collected in the field. These positions with run from approximately Tuesday 7thApril to Monday 1st June. Successful candidates for these positions must have (or be qualified to obtain) a BTO permit to ring adult great tits and blue tits.
A further two field assistants will be hired to support a project collecting behavioural (foraging) data for great tits breeding in the Wytham population. These roles will involve a significant amount of nightwork. Duties will include (i) setting up and calibrating electronic tracking equipment and nest box cameras in the field, (ii) mapping tracking equipment locations using GPS, (iii) helping with catching and ringing parent birds and fitting tracking devices, (iv) assisting with mistnetting to re-trap tagged parents, and (v) inputting data collected in the field. These positions with be approximately 7 and 4 weeks in duration, starting from 13th April and 4th May, respectively. Possession of a BTO ringing permit with misnet endorsement and driving license are highly desirable for these roles.
All fieldwork will take place in Wytham Woods, near Oxford. The work is variable in intensity and will at times require long days in the field and working some weekend days, but this will be balanced out by quieter periods.
All Successful candidates must be able to demonstrate skill and enthusiasm for biological research as well as experience of fieldwork under arduous conditions, and both lone work and working as part of a team. Due to the short-term nature of these posts, successful applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.
Salary & Accommodation: Field assistants will be paid at grade 5.2 (£17.37/hour) and are responsible for finding their own accommodation. It is possible to hire accommodation at the Wytham Chalet, a research station within Wytham Woods. Alternatively, field assistants can find private accommodation locally and use their own transport to commute to the woods (approx. 30 min by car or bike, depending on location).
Please submit an application, consisting of (1) a covering letter indicating which position(s) you are interested in andexplaining relevant experience and motivation, (2) a CV (max 2 pages), and the names of two people who can be contacted as referees, by Sunday 8th February 2026 to eleanor.cole@biology.ox.ac.uk. Interviews will be held remotely 17-19th Feb. Informal inquiries can be emailed to Dr Ella Cole (eleanor.cole@biology.ox.ac.uk). For more details about the project see www.wythamtits.com
