Senior Aquatic Ecologist

Senior Aquatic Ecologist
Location: UK-wide | Flexible/Hybrid Working Options
Sector: Environmental Consultancy / Ecology
Salary: £36,000 – £46,000 (Depending on Experience)

A leading UK environmental consultancy is seeking a Senior Aquatic Ecologist to support its growing portfolio of freshwater and coastal projects. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a well-established team working across rivers, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, and coastal environments.

With over 150 ecologists employed across the UK, this consultancy is currently the largest employer of ecologists in the country. It has tripled in size over the last 10 years, growing steadily and sustainably-even through challenging market conditions. This role offers both stability and clear opportunities for progression in a business that continues to expand with purpose and resilience.

You'll work on a range of impactful projects including large-scale infrastructure, waterbody restoration, and cutting-edge ecological research and development.

Key Focus Areas:
We're particularly interested in candidates with experience in:

• Water quality and hydrology

• Aquatic habitat assessments and biota surveys (macroinvertebrates, fish, macrophytes, diatoms, etc.)

• Ecological impact assessments and regulatory compliance

• Habitat restoration and enhancement

Experience & Qualifications:

• Degree in a relevant environmental or ecological discipline

• Significant post-graduate experience in aquatic ecology

• Full UK driving licence

• Experience with some or all of the following:

  • Water quality sampling and monitoring

  • Hydrology surveys and flow gauging

  • Kick sampling and macroinvertebrate ID

  • Electrofishing and fish rescue operations

  • Aquatic habitat assessments (RHS, RCS, MoRPh)

  • WFD assessments, EcIA, HRA (especially for infrastructure projects)

• Species-specific licences (e.g., white-clawed crayfish, freshwater pearl mussel) are advantageous

• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., CIWEM, CIEEM, IFM) preferred

• Chartership not required, but actively working towards it is desirable

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and deliver high-quality aquatic ecology field surveys

• Produce and review technical reports and tenders

• Support project management including timelines, budgets, and client reporting

• Contribute to staff mentoring, training, and internal R&D

• Maintain a strong CPD record and uphold high professional standards

• Collaborate effectively across multi-disciplinary teams and departments

Benefits:

• Competitive salary: £36,000 – £46,000 DOE

• Flexible and hybrid working options

• Company pension and life assurance

• Structured professional development and training

• Access to technical leaders in aquatic ecology

• Employee wellbeing and assistance programme

• Options for additional holidays, health cover, and more

Ready to take the next step?
I'm recruiting on behalf of a highly regarded consultancy that combines scale with strong values and technical depth. If you're looking for a role where your skills in aquatic ecology will be valued and developed in a stable, forward-thinking environment, let's talk.

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