Scientist - Ecology

Join us as a Field Ecologist and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!

As a Field Ecologist you will get the opportunity to contribute to high-quality environmental research, specialising in plant identification and ecology, while working with a diverse team of experts across multiple disciplines. You'll support projects for a range of public and private sector stakeholders and play a part in developing innovative responses to emerging environmental land management policies, helping to shape sustainable outcomes for the future.

What you’ll be doing:

• Undertake in-field ecological monitoring and research involving sampling and identification of plants, habitats, and invertebrates
• Deliver complex field surveys as part of a large team, maintaining the highest standards of data collection.
• Depending on your experience, you may be involved in managing field surveys delivered by a network of regionally based surveyors and some project management responsibilities.
• Liaising with landowners/managers
• Contribute to the analysis and evaluation of research and interpretation of data, including working with inter-disciplinary teams to agree interpretations and derivations of key metrics.
• Contribute to the development of methods, proposals and written report outputs in response to customer needs
• Contribute to publishing research findings.

The above duties may differ depending on your areas of expertise.

Candidates should be aware that this role can require travel which necessitates staying away from home overnight between Monday and Friday, potentially for consecutive weeks through the peak survey window.

What we’re looking for:

• A BSc or equivalent level qualification in ecology, conservation biology, environmental science, botany or a related biological science. Candidates without these qualifications will need to be able to provide evidence of the required skills and relevant experience in plant identification and UK habitat surveying e.g. UKHab. Knowledge of other groups such as invertebrates would be advantageous.
• Experience in identification of insects, soil mesofauna, earthworms or other small invertebrates, please state any groups in which you have experience of identifying in your CV.
• Ability to undertake complex survey delivery alone or as part of a team
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to follow complex protocols
• Experience in contributing to the design, development and implementation of quantitative/qualitative methodologies.
• Experience of data management and analysis.
• A good working knowledge and understanding of ecology which informs the ability to make judgements about the impact of management on habitats/features and the importance of habitat and its condition for other species.
• An understanding of how environmental interventions impact on farmers and farm management
• Knowledge of the land use policy landscape.
• Flexibility to travel to meet survey requirements.
• Good IT skills, particularly using Microsoft applications including Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Candidates must hold a valid UK driving license.

What’s in it for you?

• ?25 days’ holiday (rising to 29) with the opportunity to buy & sell extra leave.
• Flexible working hours, on-site gym, restaurant, free parking and a discounted on-site nursery.
• The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice
• Company matched pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks’ fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeks…and plenty more.
• Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle – from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology
• Fera operates a LTIP ( Long Term Incentive Plan) under which all employees are awarded points towards shares in the Employee Benefits Trust on an annual basis. The Employee Benefits Trust holds shares on behalf of our employee, at the point of an equity event the shares will realise a cash value.

What we hope you’ll do next:

Choose ‘Apply now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you. If you have any questions you’d like to ask before applying, you can contact recruitment@fera.co.uk

We’re an equal opportunity employer, which means we recruit and develop people based on their merit and passion. We’re committed to providing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and working environment for everyone. If you need the job description or application form in an alternative format or if you’d like to discuss other changes or support you might need going forward, please email at recruitment@fera.co.uk and we’ll get back to you.

At Fera, we’re making the world a better, healthier and safer place. We’re a joint venture partnership between Bridgepoint and Defra and we’re working proactively to protect the world we live in and the food we eat. Our teams are investigating plant and bee health, crop protection and sustainable agriculture. Join us and discover better as you deliver world-class science for the future.