Location
Remote within Wales, with office space available in Cardiff and Anglesey. Some travel across Wales and the UK is required, including occasional overnight stays.

Hours
Full Time - 37.5 hours per week, flexible working arrangements considered.

Salary
£51,549 per annum

About the Role
We are seeking an established ecologist or environmental scientist to lead our scientific work in Wales. Based in RSPB’s Centre for Conservation Science, the Principal Conservation Scientist will provide the evidence needed by RSPB Cymru to recover species, restore natural habitats, and influence environmental policy in Wales. This role is key to ensuring that RSPB’s conservation and engagement work in Wales is underpinned by robust scientific evidence. You will focus on improving the status of priority species such as curlew, black grouse, seabirds, and woodland birds, and enhancing habitats including peatland, moorland, Atlantic oak woodlands, and marine environments for the benefit of wildlife and people. The role involves balancing sustainable land management for food and timber production with the need for a clean, nature-rich landscape providing essential ecosystem services. You will identify key evidence needs and address them through synthesizing existing knowledge or initiating new research, working closely with RSPB Cymru operations staff and external scientific partners. You will lead the development of collaborative external funding proposals and manage scientific projects, including staff and budgets. This role requires building and maintaining productive relationships across RSPB and with external research partners and funders. Projects may be ecological or multidisciplinary, measuring ecosystem services or social factors affecting conservation practice. The position currently includes line management of one staff member, with potential for additional temporary staff management.

Experience
- PhD in a relevant subject or equivalent experience.
- Broad knowledge of conservation issues, practice, and science through conducting and managing scientific research.
- Proven ability to design scientific studies addressing applied conservation questions.
- Demonstrated experience leading multiple scientific research projects to completion, including managing staff and budgets.
- Strong record of peer-reviewed scientific publications.
- Experience developing productive internal and external collaborations.
- Proven success in securing external funding for applied conservation research.
- Ability to communicate scientific principles and research findings effectively to both scientific and general audiences through writing and presentations.

About you
- Passionate about applying scientific knowledge to nature recovery.
- Skilled at translating conservation science into practice and policy.
- Able to influence conservation policy and decision-makers using scientific evidence.
- Experience conducting applied scientific research on Welsh wildlife and habitats or comparable landscapes is desirable.
- Collaborative and able to build strong working relationships internally and externally.

Qualifications
- PhD or equivalent experience in ecology, environmental science, or related discipline.
- Evidence of successful research leadership and funding acquisition.
- Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.