Location
Edinburgh, Scotland

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. With over 34,000 people across more than 30 countries, we are dedicated to improving quality of life by creating sustainable places, protecting and enhancing the natural environment, and helping clients address major societal challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resilient infrastructure delivery. We are seeking Senior and Principal Ecologists with strong botanical expertise to join our growing team in Glasgow or Edinburgh. This is an excellent opportunity for experienced ecologists to take a leading role in delivering high-quality ecological work across Scotland while advancing their careers within a collaborative and forward-thinking consultancy.

Our ecology team supports a wide range of projects across the UK and internationally, including major infrastructure, renewable energy, transport, water, and development schemes. In Scotland, we focus on projects in environmentally sensitive landscapes and seek individuals with strong field botany skills and experience surveying upland habitats.

As a Senior or Principal Ecologist, you will provide technical leadership across a broad range of ecological commissions, with a particular focus on botanical survey, habitat assessment, and upland ecology. You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams and clients to deliver high-quality advice that supports sustainable development and positive environmental outcomes. Depending on your level, responsibilities include managing projects, overseeing survey programmes, mentoring junior colleagues, and contributing to the growth of Arcadis’ ecology capability in Scotland.

Role accountabilities include:
- Leading and contributing to botanical and habitat surveys
- Delivering ecological inputs to Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
- Providing specialist advice on upland habitats, peatland, and habitat management
- Supporting biodiversity strategy development and Natural Capital work
- Managing ecological projects to meet quality, programme, and budget requirements
- Mentoring and supporting junior ecologists
- Contributing to the continued growth of our ecology business in Scotland

Experience
- Strong field botany and habitat survey skills
- Proven experience surveying upland habitats in Scotland
- Experience delivering ecological advice for projects such as renewables, grid and transmission, transport, water, or major development
- Excellent technical reporting, project management, and communication skills
- Ability to build strong relationships with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders
- Experience in NVC survey and knowledge of the Scottish planning and consenting environment is highly beneficial

About you
You are a motivated and experienced ecologist with strong botanical expertise, passionate about delivering high-quality ecological advice and sustainable solutions. You thrive in collaborative environments, enjoy mentoring others, and are committed to supporting the growth of ecological capabilities within a consultancy setting.

Qualifications
- FISC Level 3+ certificate or equivalent demonstrable botanical expertise
- Strong understanding of Scottish habitats, vegetation communities, and upland land use