Seasonal Aquatic Ecologist (Laboratory Assistant) - Southampton University in Portsmouth

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Love wildlife, conservation and the science behind protecting our natural environment? Join Jacobs' specialist Aquatic Ecology team and play a hands-on role in projects that help safeguard some of the UK's most important aquatic habitats and species. The work you do will directly support environmental monitoring, compliance and decision-making for critical infrastructure projects across the UK. By processing and analysing samples collected from rivers, estuaries and coastal environments, you'll help generate the data that informs how we protect ecosystems while delivering the infrastructure communities rely on.

This is more than a seasonal role. It's an opportunity to develop practical ecological skills, work alongside industry experts, and contribute to projects that make a genuine difference.

What's In It For You:

• Build experience that matters
• Gain valuable, hands-on experience working within a professional aquatic ecology laboratory
• Learn from experienced ecologists and aquatic specialists
• Receive training in ichthyoplankton processing and identification techniques
• Opportunity to support ecological field surveys and nationwide projects
• Strengthen your CV with experience from one of the world's leading environmental consultancies
• Flexibility around your life with a zero-hours contract offering flexibility and control over your availability

Statutory Rights: You're entitled to core rights like National Minimum/Living Wage, paid holiday, rest breaks, payslips, and protection from discrimination.

Opportunity & Experience: Great for building skills, gaining experience, and potentially moving into permanent roles. Ideal for students, recent graduates, career starters or those looking to gain environmental experience. Potential to work up to 40 hours per week during busy periods. Income and hours are variable, so earnings aren't guaranteed.

Competitive hourly pay. Accrued holiday at 1.2 hours for every 10 hours worked. All travel and accommodation expenses covered for any fieldwork assignments. Subsistence allowance provided when working away.

Whether you're looking for your first ecology role or want to build experience in a specialist field, this is a chance to get involved in meaningful environmental work from day one.

We're looking for enthusiastic Seasonal Aquatic Ecologists to join our laboratory team based at Southampton University. Working alongside experienced aquatic ecologists, you'll help process ichthyoplankton samples collected from locations across the UK. Through training and support, you'll develop specialist skills in laboratory analysis while contributing to projects that support environmental compliance and sustainable development.

Typical activities will include:

• Processing and analysing ichthyoplankton samples
• Working independently to deliver high-quality laboratory outputs
• Using microscopes and established identification techniques
• Supporting biological data collection and ecological surveys when required
• Contributing to quality-assured environmental assessments

While the role is primarily laboratory-based, there may also be opportunities to join fieldwork activities with our wider aquatic ecology team across the UK.

Here's what you'll need:

• A genuine interest in ecology, aquatic environments or environmental science
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• A proactive attitude and willingness to learn
• Ability to work independently following training
• Full UK driving licence
• Right to work in the UK
• Flexibility to stay away from home for up to four nights per week when supporting fieldwork
• Degree (completed or in progress) in Ecology, Marine Biology, Environmental Science or a related subject
• Experience working in a laboratory environment
• Experience using microscopes or biological identification keys
• Interest or background in marine or aquatic ecology

If you're passionate about the natural world and want to gain practical experience with a team that's helping shape a more sustainable future, we'd love to hear from you.

Jacobs offers hybrid working and a standard 40-hour working week.

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we've gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You'll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you'll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals - all at a single global company.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we're more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation.

We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process, please contact the team via Careers Support.