Conservation Scientist - UK Marine x3

The RSPB Centre for Conservation Science is responsible for the science that informs delivery of the RSPB’s conservation programmes for species, habitats and landscapes.

We are seeking three Conservation Scientists to join our Marine Section to take key roles in the delivery of a variety of seabird conservation research projects.

One post is a fixed-term role for one year, in the first instance, and the other two roles are fixed-term for two years. All roles will be home-based (flexible within the UK) but some will require periods of up to six weeks of fieldwork around the UK. A flexible approach to meeting the requirements of the projects is essential! 

If you are looking for an exciting opportunity that combines fieldwork, including on remote islands, complex data analysis and scientific paper writing, but also informs the conservation of a charismatic seabirds, then this could be the opportunity for you!

What are the roles about?

The posts will be for between 12 and 24 months in the first instance, with potential for extension. We are seeking three Conservation Scientists to join our Marine Section to take key roles in the delivery of a variety of seabird conservation research projects. Some roles will involve periods of fieldwork on remote islands requiring up to six weeks at a time away from home, between May and September each year.  Those roles will involve extensive project management responsibilities, including recruitment of field staff, organising fieldwork logistics, procurement and maintenance of equipment, and all roles will involve data management and analysis, writing of project reports for funders, working closely with project partners, and preparing manuscripts for peer review and scientific publication. 

Essential skills, knowledge and experience for ALL posts. Refer to FULL DESCRIPTION on our website for further details.

• PhD in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience in leading a relevant scientific project.
• An understanding of the ecology and conservation of seabirds, with practical skills and experience appropriate to the post.
• Experience in curating, analysing, and interpreting large and complex data sets to peer-reviewed standards of scrutiny and audit.
• Self-motivated and able to work efficiently under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to effectively manage projects, staff and volunteers and work in collaboration with external organisations.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience for SOME roles:

• Hold a BTO licence to capture and ring adult seabirds in UK without supervision (i.e. C, A or S permit holder), including a mist net endorsement.
• Knowledge of key legal and practical requirements for ensuring health and safety of staff and volunteers, sometimes in challenging field conditions such as cliff-nesting seabird colonies, lone working.
• Practical field skills in seabird research, including ability to work in extreme conditions, sometimes for prolonged periods at remote locations.
• Willing and able to travel to remote fieldwork sites around the UK, often with large quantities of equipment and potentially for periods of several weeks, and to liaise effectively with relevant field and site staff.
• A good degree of physical fitness is required, to haul bulky items of field equipment on and off boats and across study sites. The post-holder should be at ease working on uneven terrain in the vicinity of sea cliffs.
• Able to maintain a positive attitude in the face of difficult fieldwork conditions (poor weather, equipment failure etc) and to maintain team morale. They will be resilient, a problem-solver and innovative, always looking for the positive outcome. They will relish the opportunity to spend long periods (several weeks at a stretch) living under expedition conditions (in tents) without access to mains electricity or running hot water.
• The successful candidate should demonstrate effective, inspirational and collaborative leadership to direct a team of field assistants that may include people with a wide range of previous seabird research experience (including those with more experience of some skills than you!).
• Possession of a full UK driving licence, confident driving other staff and field equipment to remote locations in hire cars or small vans.

These are fixed-term one to two-year full-time roles for 37.5 hours per week. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 13th January 2025. For further information please contact [email protected]

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.