PeacePlus Nature Senior Research Assistant

Are you passionate about protecting and restoring peatlands? The restoration of Northern Ireland’s peatlands will deliver major conservation benefits and is a key part of PeacePlus Nature. We are looking for a peatland scientist to lead scientific data collection campaigns at PeacePlus Nature peatland restoration sites.

This role is a Peatland Senior Research within the PeacePlus Nature Programme. PeacePlus Nature is an ambitious €20.8 million programme that brings together nine partners to tackle the decline in priority species and habitats in Northern Ireland, and the border counties of Ireland.

PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.

You will work with RSPB colleagues in the conservation science, ecology and reserves departments, and our PeacePlus partners in Northern Ireland and in Ireland. You will work closely with the existing Peatland Programme team and PeacePlus Peatland Conservation Scientist, to develop peatland restoration monitoring protocols, as well as plan and lead data collection campaigns across large upland sites. This role will require field work in Northern Ireland throughout the year, as well as home or home/office-based desk work.

We welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate the essential criteria and are committed to developing their expertise in peatland restoration science.

What we need from you

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Degree level qualification or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of peatland restoration science issues and practice, gained through experience of a scientific project.
• Knowledge of peatland hydrological and/ or GHG flux principles and data collection gained through experience of a scientific project.
• Experience of fieldwork in remote locations, and knowledge of the health and safety and ethical considerations associated with this.
• Ability to work in extreme conditions, sometimes for prolonged periods in the field.
• Ability to effectively manage projects and meet deadlines.
• Competent IT user (e.g. MS packages, Outlook etc) including in the use of GIS.
• Full UK/Ireland driving license.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Collecting, curating and manipulating data
• Ability to manage field staff.
• Ability to train and coach others in data collection techniques in sometimes difficult conditions.

The post is fixed term until the 29th of July 2029 initially, with the possibility that this will be extended further depending on external funding.

This is a full-time role of 37.5 hours per week.

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.

This role will be based in Northern Ireland and will require some cross border working in sites in the Republic of Ireland. Time spent in the Republic of Ireland will be managed to ensure alignment with cross border working requirements.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 4th March 2026. For further information please contact [email protected] .

As part of this application process you will be asked to 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.

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.