Coastal Geomorphologist in Portsmouth

Location: Portsmouth area

Salary: £40,000 - £60,000

Contract: Permanent | Full-Time

Working Pattern: Hybrid & Flexible Working

Looking to take the next step in your Coastal Geomorphology career? Calibre Search is working with an established, employee-owned environmental and engineering consultancy looking to strengthen its Coastal Geomorphology team with the appointment of an experienced Senior Coastal Geomorphologist. This is an opportunity to work on a diverse range of coastal restoration, habitat creation and flood resilience projects, helping to shape how coastal environments are managed and protected for the future.

You'll be joining a growing specialist team working alongside coastal engineers, environmental consultants and modelling specialists, with the opportunity to take ownership of projects, mentor junior colleagues and contribute to some genuinely interesting environmental schemes.

The Role

As a Senior Coastal Geomorphologist, you'll play an important role in understanding natural coastal and estuarine processes and how they influence the design and delivery of engineering and environmental projects. This isn't a purely numerical modelling or desk-based position. We're looking for someone who understands how coastal systems work in practice and can apply that knowledge to real-world projects.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Undertaking coastal and estuarine geomorphological assessments, including fieldwork and desk-based studies.
• Assessing sediment transport, erosion, deposition and changes to coastal processes.
• Supporting coastal habitat restoration and creation schemes, including managed realignment projects.
• Working closely with coastal engineers, environmental consultants and modelling teams to inform project designs.
• Reviewing and interpreting coastal modelling outputs, GIS datasets and environmental information.
• Preparing technical reports, feasibility studies, Environmental Impact Assessments and Water Framework Directive assessments.
• Managing projects from initial assessment through to delivery, ensuring deadlines, budgets and quality standards are met.
• Providing technical guidance and mentoring graduate and junior colleagues.
• Engaging with clients, stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
• Supporting tender submissions and contributing to future project opportunities.

Projects You'll Be Working On

You'll have the opportunity to contribute to a varied portfolio of projects across the UK, with particular emphasis on the South Coast. Current work includes:

• Major coastal habitat creation schemes, including projects around Chichester Harbour involving the restoration and creation of approximately 40-100 hectares of habitat.
• Managed realignment projects, exploring opportunities to reposition or modify coastal defences to restore natural processes.
• Coastal flood defence schemes, assessing the impact of proposed engineering works on coastal and estuarine environments.
• Nature-based solutions, supporting biodiversity improvements and climate resilience.
• Environmental assessments, helping clients understand and manage the impacts of coastal development and infrastructure.
• Projects range from smaller specialist assessments through to major multidisciplinary environmental and engineering programmes.

What We're Looking For

We're particularly interested in speaking with candidates who have practical coastal geomorphology experience and are comfortable working within a commercial consultancy environment. Ideally, you'll have:

• A degree in Geography, Environmental Science, Coastal Science or a related discipline.
• Proven professional experience in coastal or estuarine geomorphology.
• A strong understanding of coastal processes, sediment movement, erosion and deposition.
• Experience undertaking site-based geomorphological assessments.
• Knowledge of the Water Framework Directive and relevant environmental legislation.
• Experience interpreting coastal modelling outputs and using GIS.
• Experience producing technical reports and delivering projects within agreed timescales and budgets.
• The confidence to work collaboratively with engineering and environmental teams.
• The ability to support and mentor less experienced colleagues.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Chartership through a relevant professional body such as CIWEM, CGeog or ICE would be advantageous, although candidates actively working towards chartership are also encouraged to apply.
• Experience in Environmental Impact Assessment, tender preparation, stakeholder engagement or contract management would also be beneficial.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Interesting projects: Work on significant coastal restoration and habitat creation schemes that deliver genuine environmental benefits.

Career progression: Join a specialist team with opportunities to develop your technical expertise and take on greater responsibility.

Team development: Play an active role in supporting junior colleagues and helping grow the coastal geomorphology capability.

Multidisciplinary working: Collaborate with experienced coastal engineers, environmental specialists and modelling teams.

Employee-owned consultancy: Join an independent organisation focused on long-term development, sustainability and innovation.

Hybrid working: Enjoy flexibility while maintaining regular collaboration with colleagues in the office.

Professional development: Access ongoing training and support towards professional chartership.

Interested? If you're an experienced Coastal Geomorphologist looking for a position offering technical variety, career development and the chance to make a real difference to coastal environments, we'd be keen to hear from you. Apply today or contact Ben Dakin at Calibre Search for a confidential discussion about the role.

Calibre Search promote equality in the workplace and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified candidates regardless of their sex, race, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age. We act as both an employment agency and employment business.