Conservation Scientist (Broadleaved Woodland)

We have a fantastic opportunity for a scientist to join the England & Wales team within the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science. We are looking for someone with strong field, analytical and communication skills to lead the delivery of a new project on the ecological benefits of hydrological restoration of broadleaved woodland. The project aims to understand whether hydrological restoration of lowland broadleaved woodland improves invertebrate abundance, decaying wood resources, or affects woodland phenology in relation to Lesser Spotted Woodpecker habitat requirements.

What’s the role about?

Due to marked long term declines Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is of high conservation priority and a key focus for the RSPB. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers along with other declining woodland birds are associated with wet features within woodland and this project aims to investigate whether hydrological restoration within woodland increases decaying wood and invertebrate abundance needed for this species. The results of this study are expected to feed into woodland conservation management and policy recommendations.

The successful candidate will be responsible for setting up and running the study and is expected to contribute to data collection, managing field staff, analysing data and communicating and publishing results. The diet of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers is predominantly invertebrates; the successful candidate is therefore expected to have experience in invertebrate sampling along with identifying and quantifying samples in the lab.

Study sites will be across the southern half of England and data collection is expected to run over six months of the years. The postholder must be able to undertake regular visits to field sites plus occasional travel to meet colleagues, attend team and scientific meetings and conferences, entailing some overnight stays. The role will be home based with access to an RSPB office/s.

What we need from you?

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience designing and delivering ecological or conservation research projects, gained through a PhD or equivalent professional research experience.
• Able to communicate effectively with colleagues, partners and funders, and build collaborative working relationships to support research delivery.
• Able to use Microsoft Office, GIS software (such as QGIS or ArcGIS) and R (or equivalent statistical software) to manage, analyse and present research data, with the ability to learn new software where required.
• Experience applying appropriate statistical methods to analyse ecological or environmental datasets and interpret results.
• Able to plan and manage research activities, prioritise competing work and meet agreed project deadlines.
• Experience collecting, managing and analysing complex ecological datasets suitable for scientific publication or reporting.
• Experience using field survey techniques relevant to ecological research, such as invertebrate sampling, bird surveys, passive acoustic monitoring or environmental data collection.
• Experience coordinating or supervising field staff to deliver research activities safely and effectively.
• Experience writing scientific reports and publications, including contributing to or leading peer-reviewed papers where appropriate.
• Drivers License valid for use in the UK.

Experience of woodland ecology, tree identification or UK conservation policy would be beneficial. We recognise that candidates may have developed relevant expertise through different research settings and will support the successful candidate to build their understanding of the specific ecological context of the project. Please use your application to demonstrate how your knowledge and experience are relevant to this role.

Additional Information

This is a Fixed Term 30-month contract of (37.5 hours per week) from October 2026 until March 2029.

We are looking to conduct interviews from the week commencing 12th October. For further information and to discuss the role please contact Paul Bellamy ([email protected]).

As part of this application process, you will be asked to provide your CV and complete an application form. Please explain in the application form how you meet the essential criteria above.

This role will require completion of standard pre-employment checks. 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 may be eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship.