Location
Northern Ireland

Hours
Part Time - 18.75 hours per week (50% FTE)

Salary
£45,644 per annum (pro rata)

About the Role
We have an exciting opportunity for a social scientist to join RSPB Northern Ireland and the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science as a Senior Conservation Scientist. This role will deliver a specific project and provide strategic social science leadership across the PeacePlus Nature programme. You will lead and deliver the social science components of the programme, ensuring robust social research informs peatland restoration and species recovery work. The role involves conducting research to understand the social, cultural, and economic dimensions of turbary rights, including the lived experiences, values, and perspectives of rights holders and local communities. Engaging sensitively and constructively with stakeholders such as landowners, turbary rights holders, community groups, and statutory agencies will be key to providing evidence that supports balanced, just, and inclusive approaches to peatland conservation, recognising both ecological priorities and community needs.

You will work collaboratively with ecologists, project managers, community engagement officers, and partner organisations to integrate social evidence and contribute to reporting, learning, and knowledge exchange across the PeacePlus Nature partnership. You will be embedded within the RSPB Northern Ireland team, managed by RSPB’s Principal Scientist, and be part of the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, participating in wider RSPB science events where appropriate.

About PeacePlus Nature
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, PeacePlus Nature aims to restore blanket bog, lowland wet grassland, limestone grassland, and priority species ranging from breeding waders to the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly.

Experience
- Designing and delivering applied social science research projects, demonstrated through a PhD and postdoctoral research or equivalent professional experience.
- Knowledge of natural resource governance, land-use issues, and community dimensions of conservation, including common property rights.
- Designing and delivering qualitative or mixed-methods research projects, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Engaging with stakeholders and using participatory approaches to gather evidence or inform decision-making, particularly in rural, environmental, or community settings.
- Coordinating research projects and line managing staff, students, or research assistants.
- Analysing qualitative and/or quantitative data using appropriate analytical software (e.g., R, NVivo) to produce evidence that informs policy, practice, or decision-making.
- Communicating complex information clearly in writing and verbally, including producing scientific papers, reports, and presentations for diverse audiences.
- Collaborating successfully with colleagues from different disciplines or organisations to deliver shared outcomes.
- Managing competing priorities, organising work effectively, and meeting agreed deadlines.
- Ability to travel to remote locations across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland as required without public transport.

About you
You are a skilled social scientist with a passion for conservation and community engagement. You have excellent interpersonal skills to engage sensitively with diverse stakeholders and a collaborative approach to working across disciplines. You are organised, proactive, and able to balance multiple priorities while delivering high-quality research outputs that influence policy and practice.

Qualifications
A PhD in a relevant social science discipline or equivalent professional experience is essential for this role.