Conservation Scientist

Contract: 12 months

A great opportunity to work at the cutting edge of research to inform RSPB’s marine casework.

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.

Essential:

• 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)
• Knowledge of current conservation casework issues and practice, and conservation science,

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 research projects interrogating the potential impacts of offshore wind on seabirds.

Closing: 23:59, Thursday 28th August
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.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, more details about our equal opportunities and pre-employment checks are available on our website.

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

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