Location
Flexible within Northern Ireland

Hours
Full Time - 37.5 hours per week

Salary
£44,315 per annum

About the Role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Scientist to join RSPB Northern Ireland and the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science to deliver specific projects and work across the PeacePlus Nature programme. PeacePlus Nature is an ambitious €20.8 million programme that brings together nine partners to tackle the decline in priority species and habitats in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. Supported by PEACEPLUS, a cross-border funding programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and backed by the European Union, the UK Government, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration, this initiative aims to restore blanket bog, lowland wet grassland, limestone grassland, and priority species ranging from breeding waders to the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly.

This role will involve managing a small team of peatland scientists to provide evidence of peatland restoration impacts and a team of wader surveyors conducting national citizen science and repeat breeding wader surveys in Northern Ireland. You will share species and habitat science expertise across partners and projects within the PeacePlus Nature programme. Embedded within the RSPB Northern Ireland team and reporting to RSPB’s Principal Scientist for Northern Ireland, you will also be part of the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science and participate in wider RSPB science events as appropriate.

This is a fixed-term full-time role until 31st July 2029, with the possibility of extension or becoming permanent depending on business needs.

Experience
- PhD in a relevant ecological subject with a strong species and/or habitats conservation focus, or equivalent relevant research experience.
- Proven experience managing research projects from inception to completion and supervising scientists or field staff.
- Methodical and rigorous approach to experimental design, data collection, and analysis meeting peer-reviewed standards.
- Strong skills in R and GIS, with the ability to apply ecologically relevant statistics for innovative and robust data analysis.
- Knowledge of methods for scientifically assessing peatland restoration impact and national species survey methodologies.
- Identification skills for priority species and habitats, preferably waders and peatland ecosystems.
- Skilled collaborator and communicator with experience working with diverse stakeholders.
- Self-motivated, able to work efficiently under pressure, plan and organise own workload.
- Full UK driving licence.

About you
Adaptable and collaborative worker with excellent communication skills. You are motivated by conservation challenges and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. You demonstrate strong organisational skills and a commitment to delivering high-quality scientific outcomes within deadlines.

Qualifications
PhD or equivalent experience in ecology or conservation science with a focus on species and habitats.

Desirable Skills and Knowledge
- Understanding of health and safety, licensing, and access procedures for research projects.
- Experience collecting, curating, and analysing large complex datasets, ideally from citizen science or biodiversity monitoring.
- Experience managing and reporting budgets and processes for externally funded projects.