Principal Research Officer, Wetland Landscapes and Processes Team in London

WWT are seeking a skilled and experienced researcher with spatial and hydrological skills who would relish the combined opportunity of producing high quality evidence while using their knowledge, skills and enthusiasm to support colleagues in furthering conservation in the UK and internationally.

WWT is on a mission to restore and protect wetlands. It is the largest wetland-focused NGO in the UK and has thriving in-country offices in two important international “hotspots” of wetland importance, namely Madagascar and Cambodia. The organisation draws credibility from its long history of successful conservation action and its evidence-based approach. Within the Wetland Conservation Directorate at WWT, the Wetland Evidence department is a welcoming and collaborative group of around 25 scientists covering disciplines including ecology, wetland processes, spatial, economic and social sciences. Wetland Evidence provides guidance for the Trust’s work and also produces evidence that helps to further the objective of protecting and restoring wetlands and wetland wildlife more widely.

The successful candidate will have a confident command of the core scientific skills needed to deliver spatial and hydrological science that can inform the conservation of wetlands and wetland nature. This evidence will be disseminated through peer reviewed publications, reports, conference talks and other media. The role also involves providing support and guidance to WWT colleagues outside Wetland Evidence who are working to restore and protect wetlands and manage reserves both in the UK and internationally. The candidate should be able to work constructively and proactively with colleagues who have a wide range of roles as well as technical and cultural backgrounds.

The Following Are Requirements Of This Role:

• Post-doctoral or equivalent experience of study conception and design, supervision of data collection, data analysis, and scientific reporting in relevant subject(s).
• Substantial current experience and knowledge of national and international biodiversity, conservation issues, especially as they relate to wetlands.
• Extensive experience of developing and maintaining successful professional relationships with external stakeholders and non-scientific colleagues.
• Specialist skills in spatial analysis.
• Specialist skills in field-based collection of hydrological data and analysis of these data.

The successful candidate will need to drive for work. The role supports hybrid working. This is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case. Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar. Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you’ll love working at WWT:

• Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world.
• Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people.
• 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service).