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Jacobs

Senior/Principal ecologist with specialism in ornithology

London
Posted about 22 hours ago
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At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your Impact

We have an exciting opportunity for a senior/principal ecologist with a special interest in ornithology to join our award-winning ecology team across the UK.

The successful individuals will join a respected and ambitious company with excellent career prospects both locally and internationally. We actively support the professional development of staff, through our Global Career Framework, Chartership Academy Programme, Employee Networks and our Community of Practice networks, which connect us to over 200 Jacobs ecologists in the UK and Ireland, and over 600 globally. You will work with hydrologists, geomorphologists, engineers, planners, and project managers to provide support and advice to our clients. You will ensure ecology input is considered by project teams, work as a first point of contact and, with the support of the wider team, provide high-quality technical advice.

What’s In It For Me

This is more than a step up - it’s a career-defining leadership role.

  • 🌍 Global reach – collaborate with 600+ ecologists worldwide and tap into unmatched expertise
  • 📈 Clear progression – structured development through our Global Career Framework & Chartership Academy
  • Build your legacy – lead, grow and shape a team in your own vision
  • Influence major projects – work with clients like Environment Agency, National Grid, Network Rail & National Highways
  • 🚀 Win and shape future work – play a key role in bidding, strategy and growth
  • 💡 Be recognised as a leader – represent Jacobs through client engagement, industry presence and thought leadership

You’ll be trusted to lead, supported to grow, and empowered to make a genuine difference.

We Offer

  • 💷 Competitive salary We offer compensation that reflects your skills and experience
  • 🏖️ 24 days holiday + option to buy a further 10 days
  • 👵 Robust Pension Contributions We offer enhanced pension contributions up to 10% to secure your future
  • ⚕️ Comprehensive Health Coverage Single medical cover and Digital GP service, with options to add your partner and family
  • 😍 Employee Networks We have a commitment to hiring a diverse workforce and supporting colleagues of different backgrounds
  • 👶 Family Planning Support Access to fertility healthcare and family planning services
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Enhanced Parental Leave Enjoy enhanced parental leave pay and free membership to employee assistance and parental programs
  • 4️⃣ Life assurance at 4x your salary
  • ♿ Income Protection Financial security in case of long-term illness or injury
  • 😄 Wellbeing Hub Free access to wellbeing apps like Calm and Daily Burn
  • 💼 Professional Development We cover professional membership fees and provide continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities
  • 😇 Community Engagement Participate in charity matched-funding, paid volunteering time, and charitable donations

Reasons to use Rodeo

I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?

Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.

Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.

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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.

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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme

PwC·London, UK
£35,000/yr

Why you're a good match

Strong

Your economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.

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It searches the market for you

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Why you're a good match

You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.

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Strong

Experience fit

Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.

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Only hits

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The Role Will Include

  • Delivering some of the most challenging, diverse and innovative projects. Presently, we are engaged across a range of sectors and projects including transport, water and energy for local, regional and national clients including government agencies, local authorities, utilities and energy companies
  • Working in multidisciplinary teams – quickly building rapport and trust to ensure that ornithological requirements are recognised, acknowledged and constraints acted upon
  • Using your experience in ornithology - to lead ornithological surveys, provide expert advice to clients (internal and external). In periods with limited ornithological workload, you will also support and contribute to a wide range of other ecological surveys, assessments, and project tasks as required
  • Leveraging your experience of national legislation - to support Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats Regulation Appraisals etc
  • A combination desk and site-based tasks – you will need a willingness to work across the UK and at times, stay away from home during the working week.

Here's What You'll Need

  • A background in terrestrial ecology with relevant industry experience including technical reporting and impact assessment in cognisance of national legislation and guidance.
  • Good bird identification skills, with an understanding of bird ecology and a range of generic and species-specific bird survey techniques
  • Scoping and execution of field surveys and data analysis
  • Full membership of a professional body (or experience to obtain membership), with applications also welcomed from candidates holding chartership
  • Inquisitiveness and willingness to learn
  • High level of personal responsibility
  • Ability to write clear and concise reports

Ideally, You’ll Also Have

  • Current and full driving licence
  • Another ecological specialism as well as Ornithology

Our Culture

Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and diversity. We put people at the heart of our business and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees. Find out more about life at Jacobs.

We aim to embed inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected, and if we are diverse, we’re more creative. We accept people for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, mental health, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. This is reflected in our wide range of Global Employee Networks centred on inclusion and diversity – ACE, Careers, Enlace, Harambee, OneWorld, Prism, Women and Vetnet. Find out more about our employee networks here.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain diverse talent. For greater online accessibility please visit www.vercida.com to view and access our roles. As a Disability Confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

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Get help applying for this job

If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team.

Your application experience is important to us and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. We welcome feedback on our recruitment process and if you need more from us before deciding to join Jacobs then please let us know.

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit https//www.vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.

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Location

London, England, United Kingdom

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