Consultant Scientist - Hydroecology

About The Role

Are you a recent graduate with kick sampling experience or an early-career aquatic ecologist keen to expand your field survey skills? Do you enjoy working outdoors, travelling across the UK, and balancing practical survey work with office-based data handling? Are you looking for a role that offers both responsibility and development in freshwater ecology? We’re looking for a Hydroecology Consultant (Survey-Focused) to join our growing Water Science team based near Stockport. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with macroinvertebrate and freshwater surveying experience, whether gained at university or through early career roles. We are looking for someone who’s eager to develop a career in aquatic ecology consultancy.

In this role, you’ll help plan and deliver freshwater ecology surveys (particularly macroinvertebrate kick sampling alongside diatom and macrophyte surveys), as well as process, analyse, and report on the data collected. During the spring and summer survey seasons, you could be spending up to 80% of your time in the field, while at other times, you'll support office-based work including survey preparation and data review. Learning key skills that will become a baseline for a career in environmental consultancy.

The role will involve extensive travel across England and occasionally further afield, with some overnight stays required. Flexibility and a willingness to be away from home during busy periods is essential.

To be successful in this role, you’ll need:

• A relevant degree or postgraduate qualification
• Experience of kick sampling (gained through university studies, field training, or work)
• Strong data handling and organisational skills
• A full UK driving licence
• Ability to swim and confidence working outdoors in various weather conditions
• A flexible, positive approach to travel and changing priorities

Desirable, but not essential:

• Experience using ArcGIS, Survey123, or other GIS tools
• Data analysis and reporting skills
• Previous consultancy or client-facing experience

Join us and play a key role in protecting and enhancing freshwater ecosystems across the UK. You will be offered the chance to work on a variety of projects, many of our employees have worked on projects that have been of personal interest to them. We match this with a commitment to continuous development and learning to support your career. We also offer benefits to look after you, from private medical insurance for all employees, access to mental health first aiders and comprehensive income protection if you cannot work. We also offer superb flexible working options, balancing work with your life.

Next steps

We are focused on creating a diverse and inclusive team. If you can’t tick every box on our job description, then we are still keen to hear from you and are open to supporting your development. That may be working part time or supporting you to gain experience in a specific area – we are a growing company and are able to adapt roles to reflect individual skills. If you think you have what it takes to join our fast-growing business, then please apply immediately on our website. All we need is some basic information and your CV, we will review all applications quickly and will respond to all applications.

About Us

The APEM Group is a global environmental consultancy, we work with a range of clients including large corporations and governments to help them understand and solve a wide variety of environmental projects in the UK and globally. Our successful pioneering work has enabled us to grow and combine forces with other businesses who share our ethos and integrity. At our core, our people are working towards the protection of the environment across the globe.