Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time - 37.5 hours per week, with flexibility for potential part-time working or job share.

Salary
£39,205 per annum

About the Role
We are seeking a Conservation Scientist to join the RSPB’s UK Marine Science team in an exciting fixed-term role for 12 months. This role provides a great opportunity to work at the cutting edge of research to inform RSPB’s marine casework. The post-holder will help inform our policy and response to the crucial conservation dilemma of how to facilitate offshore wind in harmony with nature. The RSPB offers a supportive and flexible working environment (including home or hybrid working), with a commitment to the training and personal development of its staff and volunteers. This role will be primarily desk-based, but will require occasional trips away from home for in-person team meetings. The role could also involve fieldwork, dependent on the candidate, to assist in our suite of research projects interrogating the potential impacts of offshore wind on seabirds. You will deliver robust and impactful scientific advice to minimise and offset the impacts of offshore development on seabirds, informing real-world decisions relating to some of the world’s largest marine renewable energy developments as we work towards a nature positive energy transition. This role will have a demonstrable impact on seabird conservation.

Experience
Recognised expertise in marine ecology and conservation or other expertise relevant to casework e.g. population modelling, with the ability to apply these skills to seabirds. Proven scientific research experience (e.g., from timely completion of a PhD or managing a similar project; communicating to various audiences by writing reports). Knowledge of current conservation casework issues and practice, and conservation science, gained through experience of leading a scientific project and/or working on the ornithological assessment process for renewable developments.

About you
Skilled communicator, with the ability to use a range of mediums to influence others and engage with different audiences, often with opposing perspectives. Experience of building cooperative working relationships with external stakeholders, such as funding bodies, government agencies, developers, and collaborators. Self-motivated and able to work efficiently under pressure to meet deadlines.

Qualifications
Prior experience of statistical analysis, ideally including the analysis of spatial data using R, and of taking a leading role in writing scientific papers for peer-reviewed journals. Experience of writing training materials or training others is desirable, as you will also help to finalise written training in scientific techniques relevant to casework for RSPB colleagues.