Conservation Scientist

We have a fantastic opportunity for a scientist to join the England & Wales team within the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science. We are looking for someone with strong field, analytical and communication skills to lead a programme of research on upland breeding Whinchat.

The location of the role is flexible within the UK, although the post holder will need to be based in a yet to be confirmed location in England (though this is likely to be either Exmoor or the Peak District) for five months in 2027 (April to August) and potentially again in 2028 to undertake fieldwork.

What’s the role about?

Whinchat populations have declined sharply in recent decades, making the species a high conservation priority and a key focus for the RSPB. Although Whinchats are long-distance migrants, processes acting on their breeding grounds are thought to be the primary drivers of the decline. In the UK practical upland management solutions are needed to recover populations, which this project aims to develop.

Through a combination of desk-based analyses and fieldwork, the successful candidate will help address key evidence gaps needed to design a trial management programme for upland Whinchat. The desk-based work will combine nest monitoring and population census data with observed and remotely sensed datasets to determine how current management influences abundance change and how environmental gradients shape spatial variation in breeding productivity. Fieldwork in 2027 and 2028 will provide finer-scale insight by quantifying relationships between land management, Whinchat occurrence, food availability (diet), nestling condition, survival, and overall breeding productivity. In parallel, the successful candidate will develop the details for future trial management work through project workshops.

As well as providing scientific oversight the successful candidate will communicate their work to internal and external colleagues, and by publishing peer-reviewed scientific papers. Up to two research assistants will report to the post holder during these two periods. Periodic travel to meet team members or collaborators and to run the workshops will be required, including occasional overnight stays.

Essentials:

• Experience designing and delivering ecological or conservation research projects, gained through a PhD or equivalent professional research experience.
• Knowledge of UK conservation issues and practice, and experience applying this knowledge when planning or delivering ecological research projects.
• Able to communicate scientific information clearly to a range of audiences and build collaborative working relationships with colleagues, partners and stakeholders.
• Able to use Microsoft Office, GIS software (such as QGIS or ArcGIS) and R (or equivalent statistical software) to manage, analyse and present ecological data, with the ability to learn new software where required.
• Experience applying mixed modelling, spatial statistics and other appropriate analytical methods to ecological datasets. Experience analysing nest or brood survival data is beneficial.
• Experience using remote sensing data to support ecological research, including acquiring, processing or analysing spatial datasets.
• Experience carrying out ecological field surveys, including habitat surveys, nest finding (ideally passerines) and monitoring breeding success or survival.
• Experience collecting, managing and analysing complex ecological datasets suitable for scientific publication.
• Experience coordinating or supervising field staff to deliver research activities safely and effectively.
• Able to plan and manage research activities, coordinate the work of project staff, prioritise competing work and meet agreed deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Demonstratable experience in scientific writing and publication, including leading peer-reviewed papers in internationally recognised journals to project deadlines.
• Full UK driving licence

Experience of Whinchat ecology, upland habitats, invertebrate sampling or DNA metabarcoding would be beneficial. We recognise that candidates may have developed relevant expertise through research on other species or ecological systems and will support the successful candidate in developing project-specific knowledge where appropriate. Please use your application to demonstrate how your knowledge and experience are relevant to this role.

Having a current British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) bird ringing licence, with endorsements to ring open nesting passerines, would also be an advantage, so please say if you have this.

Additional Information

This is a full-time role (37.5 hours per week) with a 30-month fixed term contract from October 2026 to March 2029 inclusive. This position is subject to the confirmation of external funding.

Interview date provisionally as the 1st of October. For further information please contact Robert Hawkes (Robert.hawkes@rspb.org.uk).

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we 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, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to

Attachments: RSPBCandidateGuidancenotes-June2026.pdf