Eel Restoration Project Officer (5 year post)

The European eel is regarded as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Eels are currently limited from accessing the Kirkcudbrightshire Dee catchment (one of the largest river catchments in SW Scotland) due to infrastructure associated with the Galloway Hydro Scheme which has been in operation on the river for nearly 90 years. The Kirkcudbrightshire Dee provides a wonderful opportunity to research elvers returning to the lower river.

Key items of work for the project officer will include:

• Trap elvers in the lower Dee.
• Monitor the numbers and health of the elver population.
• Analyse collected data to help understand population trends and assist in future restoration work.
• Translocate the trapped elvers.
• Support other environmental work in the Dee catchment. 
• Support other eel restoration work on local waters. 
• Foster and develop a close working relationship with key stakeholders and interested parties in your key responsibility areas.
• Assist in the overall dissemination of GFT work to a wider audience particularly using social media.
• Education work

A full valid driving licence is required.  The post holder will be supported by other GFT Biologists.

The post needs to commence in January 2026 and has funding for 5 years.

Salary will be starting at £441 per week (Real Living Wage). 

Face to face interviews plan to be held on the 18th November 2025 in Newton Stewart.