PeacePlus Nature Peatland Research Assistant in Derry, Londonderry

Overview

Location: Flexible in Northern Ireland

Salary: £25,847.00 - £26,231.00 Per Annum

Contract: Fixed-Term, until July 2029

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave

Are you passionate about protecting and restoring peatlands? The restoration of Northern Ireland’s peatlands will deliver major conservation benefits and is a key part of PeacePlus Nature. Our client is looking for a peatland scientist to undertake scientific data collection campaigns at PeacePlus Nature peatland restoration sites. This role is a Research Assistant within the PeacePlus Nature Programme.

PeacePlus Nature is an ambitious €20.8 million programme that brings together nine partners to tackle the decline in priority species and habitats in Northern Ireland, and the border counties of Ireland. PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.

You will work with this organisation's colleagues in the conservation science, ecology and reserves departments, and their PeacePlus partners in Northern Ireland and in Ireland. You will work closely with the existing Peatland Programme team and the Senior Research Assistant to plan and complete field data collection campaigns and manage the collected data. This role will require field work in Northern Ireland throughout the year, as well as home or home/office-based desk work.

Responsibilities

• Plan and complete field data collection campaigns at PeacePlus Nature peatland restoration sites.
• Manage collected data and ensure data quality and accessibility for analysis.
• Collaborate with conservation science, ecology and reserves teams and PeacePlus partners.
• Coordinate with the Peatland Programme team and the Senior Research Assistant on project timelines and deliverables.
• Undertake fieldwork in Northern Ireland throughout the year, with related desk work as required.

Essential qualifications, knowledge, and experience

• Degree level qualification or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of peatland/habitat restoration science issues and practice
• Ability to use own initiative to solve day-to-day problems in the field
• Ability to work in extreme conditions, sometimes for prolonged periods in the field
• Ability to be self-motivated and work efficiently within a defined work plan
• Collecting and collating data sets
• Competent IT user (e.g. MS packages, Outlook etc) including the use of GIS
• Full UK/Ireland driving license

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, and experience

• Knowledge of peatland hydrological and/or GHG flux principles and data collection
• Demonstrable peatland restoration monitoring practical field skills

Additional Information

The post is for fixed term until 29 July 2029. This is a full-time role of 37.5 hours per week. This role will be based in Northern Ireland and will require some cross-border working on sites in the Republic of Ireland. Time spent in the Republic of Ireland will be managed to ensure alignment with cross-border working requirements. The employer reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term. They welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate the essential criteria and are committed to developing their expertise in peatland restoration science.

Closing date and interview process

Closing date: 23:59, Tuesday, 24th February 2026

The employer is looking to conduct interviews for this position from 4th March 2026.

Application and equal opportunities

Interested? To apply, please click the apply button. You will be taken to a simple CHM Recruit form where you can find out more information and complete your application by following the instructions. The employer is committed to developing an inclusive and diverse organisation, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve their vision of creating a world richer in nature, they need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, they are particularly interested in receiving your application. The organisation is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract. As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. No agencies please.