"From atoms to ecosystems....."
✓ No prerequisites
✓ R taught from scratch
✓ Real ecological datasets
✓ Publication ready results
Stable isotopes are one of ecology's most powerful tools. Most researchers barely scratch the surface.
Whether you're encountering δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N for the first time or you've been staring at a biplot wondering what it's telling you, there's a gap between having isotope data and knowing what to do with it.
Atomic Ecology training closes that gap — building the conceptual foundations and practical R skills you need to use isotopes with confidence.
→ Understand what your isotope values actually mean ecologically
→ Run mixing models and trophic position analyses in R
→ Interpret results critically — and know when methods fail
SELF-PACED ONLINE COURSES
Start any time. Work at your own pace.
Lifetime access. Real datasets. Methods you can apply immediately to your own research.
Theory Course
Essentials of Stable Isotope Ecology
Build the foundations your research depends on
A complete grounding in stable isotope ecology — from what an isotope is, through how C, N, H, O and S vary across environments, to the full trophic toolkit: biplots, mixing models, trophic position, isotopic niche, and food web metrics.
WHAT YOU"LL COVER:
€300 · Lifetime access
Data Course
Stable Isotope Data Analysis with R
From raw lab output to publication-ready results
A complete data analysis pipeline in R — using a real dataset from European lakes. Covers QC, biplots, four levels of mixing model complexity, Bayesian trophic position, isotopic niche with SIBER, and Layman food web metrics.
WHAT YOU"LL COVER:
€300 · Lifetime access
Bundle both courses together
Theory builds the understanding. Data gives you the skills to act on it. Together, they take you from first principles to published result.
€500
Save €100
MORE WAYS TO TRAIN
Same content, different formats
To fit your schedule, your institution, and your budget.
Online Group Courses
Take either course with a small cohort, with weekly live Q&A sessions. Ideal if you want accountability and direct access to Brian for questions about your own data.
Academic Timelines
Designed for students. Theory in autumn, data analysis in spring — structured to complement your project timeline. Runs as a tutorial series for a small, international group.
In person workshops
Intensive 2-3 day training sessions at conferences and research institutions. Includes hands-on sample collection & preparation. Available for your institution.
About Dr. Brian Hayden
Ecologist · Stable Isotope Researcher · Atomic Ecology
I've been using stable isotopes in ecological research since 2005 — first as a PhD student, then directing the Stable Isotopes in Nature Laboratory at the University of New Brunswick. In 2025 I returned to Ireland to establish Atomic Ecology full-time.
These courses are what I wish I'd had: built around real data, real ecological questions, and the honest truth about what isotopes can and can't tell you.
Common Questions
Not sure which course is right for you?
A few answers that help most people decide.
Do I need prior isotope experience?
No. The theory course starts from scratch — what an isotope is, why ratios vary — and builds up from there. The only prerequisite is a general background in ecology or environmental science.
Which course should I start with?
If you're new to isotopes, start with the theory course or take the bundle. If you already have solid conceptual grounding and just need the R skills, the data course works as a standalone.
Do I need to know R before the data course?
No prior R experience required. You'll set up RStudio from scratch, write R Markdown documents, and build good reproducible coding habits from the first module.
Can I use the methods on my own data?
Yes. The R scripts are written to be adapted. The data course is taught through a real ecological story, making it straightforward to swap in your own species, sources, and study design.