Senior Ecologist (UK wide) in Musselburgh

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.

Join Jacobs’ UK Ecology Team as an Ecologist and become part of a dynamic, forward-thinking organisation that’s making a real impact—locally and globally. We’re hiring nationwide, with opportunities available in our offices across Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Peterborough and Reading. Wherever you’re based, you’ll find a welcoming team and exciting projects waiting for you.

At Jacobs, we don’t just offer jobs—we build careers. You’ll be joining a respected and ambitious company with a strong reputation for excellence and innovation. Our commitment to your growth is backed by:

• Global Career Framework – chart your path with clarity and purpose
• Chartership Academy Programme – support to achieve professional accreditation
• Employee Networks & Communities of Practice – connect with over 200 ecologists in the UK & Ireland, and 600+ globally
• A culture of collaboration and sustainability – work on projects that matter

Whether you’re looking to lead groundbreaking ecological assessments or contribute to shaping environmental policy, Jacobs provides the platform to thrive. Positions are available on a permanent full-time and part-time, job share or flexible basis.

The role will include:

• Bringing technical insight, strategic thinking, and a commitment to high-quality delivery;
• Delivering some of the most challenging, diverse and innovative infrastructure projects.
• Engaging on a variety of large projects including water infrastructure, highway and rail schemes, energy infrastructure for clients.
• A combination of desk and site-based tasks.
• Using your experience in protected species survey, Ecological Clerk of Works, Environmental Impact Assessment, Habitats Regulations Assessment and/or Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Working in multidisciplinary teams – quickly building rapport and trust to ensure that terrestrial ecology requirements are recognised, acknowledged and constraints acted upon.
• Designing ecological monitoring programmes - developing survey programmes, leading and/or managing survey teams and being responsible for high quality data collection.
• Enthusiastically leading from the front - being the first point of contact in the provision of expert advice to both clients and stakeholders.
• A willingness to both learn from and mentor others – developing and sharing skills that build team and individual resilience.

This will include engagement with our global communities of practice, externally facing communications (conferences, presentations, client meetings) and training events.

We offer different career pathways to suit your strengths - whether you’re motivated by line management responsibilities or prefer to focus on technical expertise, progression is supported in both routes, with management being an option rather than a requirement.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A background in terrestrial ecology with significant years relevant industry experience.
• Full membership of a professional body (or experience to obtain full membership).
• Experience in running ecological inputs on medium-large scale projects.
• Outstanding written and verbal skills with good attention to detail.
• High level of personal responsibility.

Ideally you’ll also have:

• Current and full driving licence.
• A technical specialism in the field of terrestrial ecology.

However, if that’s not you, but you have broad experience and ability to pick up other ecological interests quickly, we’d love to hear from you too!

Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and diversity. 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. We aim to embed inclusion and diversity in everything we do.

In addition to the benefits you’d expect, UK employees also receive:

• Up to 10% company contribution into their pension.
• Reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships.
• Support to their local communities through our Collectively program which incorporates matched-funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations.
• Opportunity to buy/sell annual leave.

Wellbeing support and resources include:

• Free employee medical cover and digital GP service.
• Mindfulness platform.
• Dedicated Workplace Support 1:1 Counselling Consultations.
• Confidential information & counselling service provided by Optum.
• Online demand fitness platform provided by Daily Burn.
• Personalised financial planning and support provided by Origin.

Fertility and family benefits and support include:

• Enhanced parental leave pay.
• Fertility healthcare and family-forming benefit provided by Carrot.
• A free parental success solution and neurodiversity training benefit provided by RethinkCare Family.

Work-life balance and flexibility is a key focus area for Jacobs. We’re happy to discuss the different working patterns we offer: hybrid working, part-time roles, flexible working hours including compressed hours, annualised hours contract, and desk-based only roles.

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 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.