Senior Marine Ecologist

Job Description

Are you driven by a passion for the environment and a desire to make a lasting impact? Do you enjoy working on a variety of projects that contribute to sustainable development? Are you motivated by joining a global company with a reputation for excellence and innovation? If this sounds like you, or you’re curious to learn more, then this role could be the perfect opportunity.

We’re looking for a Senior Marine Ecologist to join our dynamic and growing marine ecology team (and wider marine projects group). If you’re passionate about marine biodiversity, technical detail, thrive in a collaborative environment, and want to lead on high-profile marine offshore and coastal projects, this could be your next step.

Your new role
As a Senior Marine Ecologist, you will lead and deliver technical marine ecology inputs across a range of major infrastructure and development projects, including offshore wind, interconnectors / subsea cables, ports and harbours, and coastal developments. You will play a key role in writing and reviewing environmental assessments, developing project specific mitigation measures and enhancement measures for the marine environments, engaging with regulators, and developing the expertise within the marine ecology team.

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Lead and author technical chapters for EcIAs, HRA, WFD, and MCZ assessments.
• Prepare and review supporting information for marine licence / voluntary notifications / EPS licence applications.
• Design, review, and undertake marine ecological surveys (including intertidal phase I and II habitat surveys).
• Write and review ecological baselines for benthic ecology, fish and shellfish, and marine mammals.
• Input to impact assessments for a range of marine ecological receptors.
• Collaborate with other disciplines such as acoustics and coastal processes to develop approaches to modelling impact pathways to marine habitats and species.
• Develop and implement marine ecological mitigation and enhancement strategies.
• Experience in Development Consent Order (DCO) applications and Examination processes.
• Undertake multivariate statistical analysis using PRIMER (e.g. benthic community analysis).
• Conduct fish spawning habitat assessments for key species such as herring and sandeel.
• Some understanding of assessing underwater noise effects (and other impacts pathways such as EMF) on marine ecological receptors.
• Support stakeholder engagement, including regulators, NGOs, and clients.
• Experience in Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) (using the Defra Statutory Metric), Marine Net Gain (MNG), and blue carbon habitats (e.g., kelp beds, seagrass, saltmarsh, and maerl beds).
• Deliver training material and support the upskilling of the expanding marine ecology team.

Your new team
As a marine ecologist you will be part of our UK Biodiversity and Ecosystems service line but will also collaborate closely with the marine EIA team, which forms part of our wider Global Impact Assessment business. Our UK business employs over 300 environmental science professionals in 14 locations and covers a breadth of consulting services structured around impact assessment, compliance, strategy and transactions, ecology and biodiversity, new initiatives and sustainability, product safety and stewardship, contaminated land, and water. Our clients include UK and global multinationals, utilities, local and central government and international institutions. Ramboll operates a flexible working policy, and with this you will be part of an exciting team of experts, who respect each other and work towards a common goal.

About you
You are a technically strong marine ecologist with a good understanding of UK marine policy and consenting processes, relevant marine ecology guidance documents and data-sources. You will have the experience to identify the deliverables required for consenting projects and the ability to undertake detailed ecological impact assessments, and input and develop marine ecology surveys. You enjoy mentoring junior staff, leading technical workstreams, and contributing to strategic project delivery.

Your qualifications and skills include:

• Degree in Marine Biology/Ecology, Environmental Science, or related discipline.
• Proven experience in UK marine EcIA and licensing processes.
• Understanding of the requirements and processes for the assessment of projects on habitats and species (HRA and MCZ) and coastal water bodies (WFD).
• Strong technical knowledge of UK marine ecology habitats and species, including benthic ecology, fish and shellfish, and marine mammals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and an eye for detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Full UK driving licence.

We recognise that some candidates only apply when they tick every box. However, passion and potential often outweigh a perfect resume and Ramboll’s supportive learning culture can help you grow. So, if this role resonates with you but you don\’t meet all the requirements, we encourage you to apply. You might be the perfect fit for this opportunity or another within our team.

What we can offer you

• Strong company commitment and ethos centred on sustainable development
• Investment in your development
• Leaders you can count on, guided by our Leadership Principles
• Being valued for the unique person you are
• Never being short of inspiration and support from colleagues, clients, and projects
• The long-term thinking of a foundation-owned company
• Flexible work environment
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Matched pension contributions
• Private medical cover and life assurance

Work at the heart of sustainable change
Ramboll is a global architecture, engineering, and consultancy company. We believe that the purpose of sustainable change is to create a thriving world for both nature and people. So, that’s where we start – and how we work. At Ramboll, our core strength is our people, and our history is rooted in a clear vision of how a responsible company should act. Being open and curious is a cornerstone of our culture. We embrace an inclusive mindset that looks for fresh, diverse, and innovative perspectives. We respect, embrace, and invite diversity in all forms to actively cultivate an environment where everyone can flourish and realise their full potential.

Ready to join us?
Please submit your application. Be sure to include all relevant documents including your CV, cover letter, etc. Please note that we do start the interviews before the application deadline.

Deadline: 30/09/2025
Thank you for taking the time to apply! We look forward to receiving your application.

Ramboll in the United Kingdom
Founded in Denmark, Ramboll is a foundation-owned people company. Ramboll has a proven track record of sustainable and responsible business and is a top ten engineering and environmental and sustainability consultancy in the UK, with more than 1,500 employees across 16 offices working towards a more sustainable future. Ramboll experts deliver innovative solutions across Buildings, Transport, Environment & Health, and Energy. Strong values guide what we do and drive an inclusive, collaborative, and highly flexible culture that values people and ideas. Explore and nurture your own passion, expertise, and creativity at Ramboll through work that benefits our people, partners, nature, and society.

An equal opportunity employer
Equality, diversity, and inclusion is at the heart of what we do. At Ramboll, we believe that diversity is a strength and that different experiences and perspectives are essential to creating truly sustainable societies. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive work environment, where everyone is able to flourish and reach their potential. We invite applications from candidates of all backgrounds and characteristics, in addition to the Protected Characteristics as set out in the Equality Act, (2010). As a Disability Confident Committed employer, Ramboll ensures opportunities are accessible to candidates with disabilities. Please reach out to our recruitment team to discuss any adjustments that you might require during the application process. We also know how important it is to achieve the right balance of where, when, and how much you work. When you join Ramboll, you’ll have the ability to work your hours flexibly through our positive and inclusive approach to work.

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