Conservation Scientist

We are seeking a Conservation Scientist to join the RSPB’s UK Marine Science team in an exciting fixed-term role for 12 months. The role provides a great opportunity to work at the cutting edge of research to inform RSPB’s marine casework. The post-holder will help inform our policy and response to the crucial conservation dilemma of how to facilitate offshore wind in harmony with nature.

The RSPB provides a supportive and flexible working environment (including home or hybrid working), with commitment to the training and personal development of its staff and volunteers. This role will be primarily desk-based, but will require occasional trips away from home for, for example, in person team meetings. The role could also involve fieldwork, dependent on the candidate, to assist in our suite of our research projects interrogating the potential impacts of offshore wind on seabirds.

What's the role about?  

You will deliver robust and impactful scientific advice to minimise and offset the impacts of offshore development on seabirds. Your advice will inform real-world decisions relating to some of the world’s largest marine renewable energy developments as we work towards a nature positive energy transition. As such, this role will have a demonstrable impact on seabird conservation. You should understand good scientific methods for survey and analysis, and have experience of providing constructive but robust feedback on the work of others (for example through peer-review) and of carefully developing professional relationships with others to build the trust and respect that ensures your voice is listened to. Working under the guidance of a Principal Conservation Scientist, you will provide feedback on the field and analytical techniques used to estimate effects on seabirds in impact assessment (for example, techniques to estimate bird densities from digital aerial survey data, collision risk modelling, population modelling). You may also provide advice on mitigation/compensation for impacts, or on spatial planning, so must have the ability to research and advise on conservation measures for seabirds, and the capacity to recommend methods to quantify their likely benefits. You will take responsibility for data analysis, and writing up results for funders and peer-reviewed publication. You should have prior experience of statistical analysis, ideally including the analysis of spatial data using R, and of taking a leading role in writing scientific papers for peer-reviewed journals. Experience of writing training materials or training others is desirable, as you will also help to finalise written training in scientific techniques relevant to casework for RSPB colleagues. 

Some previous experience of relevant work is essential however there will be the opportunity to develop skills in a variety of seabird research. 

Essential skills, knowledge, and experience:

• Recognised expertise in marine ecology and conservation or other expertise relevant to casework e.g. population modelling, with the ability to apply these skills to seabirds. Proven scientific research experience (e.g., from timely completion of a PhD or managing a similar project; communicating to various audiences by writing reports).
• Knowledge of current conservation casework issues and practice, and conservation science, gained through experience of leading a scientific project and/or working on the ornithological assessment process for renewable developments.
• Skilled communicator, with the ability to use a range of mediums to influence others and engage with different audiences, often with opposing perspectives
• Experience of building cooperative working relationships with external stakeholders, such as funding bodies, government agencies, developers, and collaborators
• Knowledge of the models and methods underpinning the assessment of ornithological impacts of offshore work, including direct use and critical review, such that correct methods can be recommended to answer practical and analytical questions
• Collecting, curating, and analysing large and complex data sets.  
• Self-motivated and able to work efficiently under pressure to meet deadlines. 

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Specialist and up-to-date knowledge of how to apply complex analytical procedures to enable innovative, robust analysis and interpretation to data.
• Knowledge of the planning procedures and legal requirements for consent of renewable developments in the UK

This is a fixed-term role for 12 months, full-time for 37.5 hours per week, with flexibility for potential part time working or job share. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position as soon as suitable candidates present themselves, so please do not delay in applying. Please note that we are actively recruiting for this vacancy and reserve the right to close once sufficient applications have been received.

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.