JOB DESCRIPTION

Are you driven by a passion for the environment and a desire to make a lasting impact? Do you enjoy working on a variety of projects that contribute to sustainable development? Are you motivated by joining a global company with a reputation for excellence and innovation? If this sounds like you, or you’re curious to learn more, then this role could be the perfect opportunity.
We’re looking for a Senior Marine Ecologist to join our dynamic and growing marine ecology team (and wider marine projects group). If you’re passionate about marine biodiversity, technical detail, thrive in a collaborative environment, and want to lead on high-profile marine offshore and coastal projects, this could be your next step.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS INCLUDE:

• Degree in Marine Biology/Ecology, Environmental Science, or related discipline.
• Proven experience in UK marine EcIA and licensing processes.
• Understanding of the requirements and processes for the assessment of projects on habitats and species (HRA and MCZ) and coastal water bodies (WFD).
• Strong technical knowledge of UK marine ecology habitats and species, including benthic ecology, fish and shellfish, and marine mammals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and an eye for detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Full UK driving licence.

YOUR NEW ROLE

As a Senior Marine Ecologist, you will lead and deliver technical marine ecology inputs across a range of major infrastructure and development projects, including offshore wind, interconnectors / subsea cables, ports and harbours, and coastal developments. You will play a key role in writing and reviewing environmental assessments, developing project specific mitigation measures and enhancement measures for the marine environments, engaging with regulators, and developing the expertise within the marine ecology team.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES WILL BE:

• Lead and author technical chapters for EcIAs, HRA, WFD, and MCZ assessments.
• Prepare and review supporting information for marine licence / voluntary notifications / EPS licence applications.
• Design, review, and undertake marine ecological surveys (including intertidal phase I and II habitat surveys).
• Write and review ecological baselines for benthic ecology, fish and shellfish, and marine mammals.
• Input to impact assessments for a range of marine ecological receptors.
• Collaborate with other disciplines such as acoustics and coastal processes to develop approaches to modelling impact pathways to marine habitats and species.
• Develop and implement marine ecological mitigation and enhancement strategies.
• Experience in Development Consent Order (DCO) applications and Examination processes.
• Undertake multivariate statistical analysis using PRIMER (e.g. benthic community analysis).
• Conduct fish spawning habitat assessments for key species such as herring and sandeel.
• Some understanding of assessing underwater noise effects (and other impacts pathways such as EMF) on marine ecological receptors.
• Support stakeholder engagement, including regulators, NGOs, and clients.
• Experience in Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) (using the Defra Statutory Metric), Marine Net Gain (MNG), and blue carbon habitats (e.g., kelp beds, seagrass, saltmarsh, and maerl beds).
• Deliver training material and support the upskilling of the expanding marine ecology team.