Conservation Scientist – SeaChange Project (Fixed-Term)

The RSPB is hiring a Conservation Scientist for the SeaChange Project in Sandy, UK. The role involves modeling management interventions in marine environments to enhance biodiversity and assess GHG emissions. Candidates should have a PhD and experience in data analysis, conservation, and marine ecology. This fixed-term, full-time position lasts 18 months, with potential for extension. The role requires collaboration with policy teams and effective communication skills.
The RSPB is seeking a highly motivated Conservation Scientist to join a multi-disciplinary team to explore scenario models of different combinations of management interventions and regimes across the UK’s marine environment landscape affect biodiversity restoration, GHG emissions, and provision for a range of human needs.

What’s the role about?

You will join a collaborative team consisting of Drs Richard Bradbury, Rob Field, and Joshua Copping. And will work closely with members of RSPB’s policy and advocacy team.

This work will build on previous RSPB projects of a similar nature that were carried out in the terrestrial realm, but now with a focus on the marine environment and exploring the trades-offs and co-benefits of habitat restoration and marine protected area creation in the UK’s waters. This research will follow the same framework used in RSPB’s previous studies:

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949790624001952

You will draw on existing data to produce opportunity maps for habitat restoration and model the impacts of habitat restoration on a range of outcomes, such as biodiversity, GHG flux, food provision, amongst potential others, across a range of exploratory scenarios.

The modelling framework and process will follow the same methods as those employed in previous RSPB research but adapted to suit the marine environment. You will work closely with the members of the RSPB’s policy team to provide them with the evidence they need for their advocacy work.

Essential qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience:
• PhD in a relevant subject
• Experience/skills in handling, manipulating, and analyse of large datasets, including spatial data, preferably using R
• Demonstrable skills and experience in conservation/marine ecology and at least one of the following areas:
• Climate change mitigation
• Renewable energy
• Spatial scenario modelling
• Self-motivated and able to work efficiently under pressure to meet deadlines
• Able to work in collaboration with external organisations and individuals
• Able to curate, analyse and interpret large and complex data sets to peer-reviewed standards of scrutiny and audit.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate with a range of audiences, including publishing in scientific journals and being a public face for RSPB science to various media

This is a Fixed-Term, Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week, for 18 months. 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.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 30th June 2025. For further information please contact joshua.copping@rspb.org.uk

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and 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.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.