reference: September 20252616
location: Flexible in Wales
a contract: permanent
hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week (flexible working arrangements are taken into account)
salary: £51,549.00 – £55,035.00 per annum

We are looking for a well-known ecologist or ecologist to lead our scientific work in Wales. The lead conservation scientist will provide the evidence RSPB Cymru needs to recover species, restore natural habitats and influence environmental policy in Wales. The primary function of the role is to ensure that the conservation and engagement work undertaken by the RSPB in Wales is supported by scientific evidence.

RSPB Cymru strives to improve the condition of priority species including curlews, black grouse, seabirds and woodland birds, and the condition of habitats such as peatlands, bogs, Atlantic oak forests and our seas for the benefit of wildlife and people. We believe that productive lands should be managed sustainably to balance the need for food and timber production with people’s needs for clean, nature-rich landscapes that provide essential ecosystem services.

The role involves identifying key evidence needs for RSPB Cymru and meeting those needs either by synthesizing existing knowledge or by initiating new research. This will require working closely with staff in the RSPB Cymru operations team (including staff managing the nature reserves) and with other scientists. Although the RSPB has some resources to fund new scientific work, larger projects will require external funding, often in partnership with others. You will be expected to build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues across the RSPB and with research partners and external funders.

Many of the RSPB’s evidence needs will be ecological in nature, for example, how best to recover species or restore habitats. There will also be a need to develop multidisciplinary projects to measure, for example, ecosystem services provided by habitat restoration or social barriers that limit the adoption of sympathetic management practices. A key part of the role will be to develop collaborative external funding proposals focused on priority RSPB issues.

necessary:

• Doctorate in related field, or equivalent experience.
• Extensive knowledge of conservation issues and practices, and conservation science, gained through experience in conducting and managing scientific research.
• Demonstrable ability to design scientific studies to answer applied conservation questions.
• Demonstrable experience in completing multiple scientific research projects including managing staff and budgets.
• Strong record of publication in peer-reviewed scientific literature.
• Demonstrable ability to develop productive collaboration internally and externally.
• A demonstrable record of raising external funding for scientific research, especially in the field of applied conservation.
• Ability to communicate scientific principles and research results to both scientific and general audiences through writing and oral presentations

desirable:

• Experience of conducting applied scientific research on wildlife and habitats in Wales, or in similar landscapes elsewhere.
• Ability to translate conservation science into conservation practices orally and in writing.
• Ability to use scientific evidence to inform and develop conservation policy and influence policy makers

Additional information:

• The successful applicant will be expected to work from home anywhere within Wales although the RSPB does have some office space for staff in Cardiff and on Anglesey.
• Some travel will be required across Wales and the UK with occasional nights away from home.
• The role currently involves executive management of one permanent staff member although this is likely to rise with temporary staff.

Deadline: Monday, November 3