UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)
Applied Biodiversity Scientist
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Applied Biodiversity Scientist
Salary & Working Pattern
- £40,574 – £43,056 Hybrid working (50/50) Permanent/Fixed Term Location: Wallingford Closing date for applications: Friday 24th July (Early closure possible if the right candidate is found—apply early)
About the Role
We are seeking an enthusiastic and innovative Applied Biodiversity Scientist to join our Biodiversity Monitoring & Analysis group.
Working within interdisciplinary teams, you will collaborate with colleagues across UKCEH and external partners to:
- Improve understanding of biodiversity change and its underlying drivers.
- Use ecological data, statistical analysis, and modelling approaches to investigate impacts of environmental change on species and habitats.
- Help predict how biodiversity may respond under different future scenarios.
This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a diverse portfolio of projects supporting:
- Environmental policy
- Conservation decision-making
- Biodiversity recovery
The Biodiversity Monitoring & Analysis group at UKCEH in Wallingford—which includes the Biological Records Centre—comprises 28 permanent staff. The team’s key activities include:
- Conducting applied research on long-term changes in biodiversity, primarily using data from national-scale citizen science programmes.
- Developing novel approaches to biodiversity monitoring and assessment, leveraging AI and emerging technologies.
- Working closely with policy-makers and practitioners to provide evidence-based support for decision-making.
Funding for this work comes from UKRI, EU programmes, UK government departments and arms-length bodies, as well as philanthropy and industries.
Key Responsibilities
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Contribute to the design, analysis, and interpretation of biodiversity data, supporting projections of change by collaborating with colleagues across UKCEH and partner organisations.
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Work constructively within project teams to:
- Collaboratively solve challenges
- Support colleagues
- Engage transparently with feedback
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Represent the team in meetings with stakeholders and collaborators, adapting communication style to audience needs and contextual demands.
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Produce high-quality scientific outputs, including:
- Peer-reviewed papers
- Reports
- Presentations Demonstrating strong judgement in evidence framing, interpretation, and presentation.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
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Degree & experience: A PhD (or equivalent professional experience) in a relevant field, including:
- Ecology
- Conservation biology
- Environmental sciences
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Quantitative expertise: Proficiency in applying statistical and computational methods to ecological problems, specifically using long-term monitoring datasets, with awareness of underlying assumptions, uncertainties, and gaps.
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Scientific judgement: Evidence of critical, transparent discussion of results and findings.
Desirable Behaviours
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Collaborative skills, with experience of:
- Reflecting on feedback
- Adapting working styles to diverse teams and stakeholders
- Meeting deadlines across multiple projects
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Strong time management abilities for managing a complex workload.
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Professional self-awareness:
- Knowing when to seek external input
- Challenging assumptions
- Adjusting approaches as needed
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Exceptional oral and written communication, demonstrable across varied audiences (e.g., technical reports, stakeholder presentations).
UKCEH acknowledges applicants may not have traditional fieldwork experience, as relevant skills may be developed within the role.
What We Offer
At UKCEH, we recognise the contributions of our team and provide a comprehensive benefits package to support your professional and personal life.
Core Benefits
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27 days’ annual leave (increasing to 29 days after 5 years) + extra holidays for Christmas closure.
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10% employer pension contribution (plus over 50% higher contribution matching after 33.33 years of service).
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- Financial protection:
- Life assurance
- Income protection policies
Family-Friendly Support
- Flexible working arrangements (ruled on a role-by-role basis)
- Hybrid working options where applicable
Workplace Lifestyle
- Discounts on:
- Dental care
- Retail, gym, and cycling services
- Student loan / pension / childcare salary sacrifice options
- Interest-free £3,000 annual travel season ticket loans (terms apply).
Employee Wellbeing
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Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 remote GP access.
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Mental health support and advice
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Lifestyle and physiotherapy health services
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Peer recognition and rewards celebrating achievements.
Working Environment
- Small, dynamic teams, 600+ staff and 50+ postgraduate students.
- Opportunity to contribute to UKRI funded, impactful research across five centres.
- Commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and collaborative teamwork.
About UKCEH
We are a leading environmental research centre focused on helping people and nature prosper. Our Governing Council, steered by UKRI, defines our direction with a vision:
"A place where world-class science advances understanding of the environment and the human impact on it, enabling jointly to work together to move towards a more sustainable world."
Eligibility & Employer Commitments
Note: Unfortunately, this role does not qualify for visa sponsorship nor endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application.
We welcome diverse applicants, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, protected characteristics, and lived-experience experts. As a Disability Confident employer, we are happy to discuss all workplace adjustments and accommodations during the recruitment process.
To indicate self-sponsorship or other circumstances, please clarify in your application.
Available marks: This section can count towards your community involvement or equality opportunities criteria.
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