At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the analysis and publication of garden bird data to drive conservation efforts.
- Company: Join RSPB, a leading charity dedicated to nature conservation in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a flexible work location, pension scheme, life assurance, and 26 days annual leave.
- Other info: This is a 2-year fixed-term role with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on wildlife conservation while working with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience in ecology, biology, or applied statistics required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Senior Conservation Scientist - Ecological Analyst
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Senior Conservation Scientist - Ecological Analyst
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This range is provided by RSPB. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
Senior Conservation Scientist - Ecological Analyst
Reference: AUG20257833
Location: Flexible in UK (Occasional Beds/Cambs travel)
Contract: 24 months Fixed Term
Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Benefits: Pension scheme (7%), Life Assurance scheme, 26 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays)
We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and skilled team-member to join the Monitoring Science team at the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science. We are seeking an experienced data scientist with a strong analytical, coding and data visualisation skills, to coordinate the development of Big Garden Birdwatch science for the next two years.
In addition, the postholder will contribute to the Centre’s overall role in establishing the scientific basis of RSPB policy and practice in nature conservation.
What's the role about?
The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch (BGBW) is a large-scale citizen science survey, with fixed protocols, which provides a snapshot of garden bird populations in winter. Originally launched as an annual activity for RSPB youth members in 1979, BGBW was opened to the wider public in 2001. Over a long weekend every January, participants survey their gardens for birds following a structured 1-hour count. With over 300,000 surveys now submitted annually, BGBW is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey.
The BGBW dataset now holds over seven million surveys, representing more than 300 million species counts and we are looking for a Senior Conservation Scientist to coordinate the design, development and publication of BGBW science. This unique new role will:
- build on the existing findings by the development of summary statistics and through spatiotemporal analysis of species counts and trends,
- unlock the power of this huge dataset to investigate ecological and environmental drivers of species trends and apply this knowledge to guide conservation action,
- publish findings in peer-reviewed journals,
- enhance participant engagement by investigating and implementing innovative data summary and visualisation tools and accessible and attractive scientific outputs,
- develop and implement an analytical pipeline to generate annual results and associated outputs,
- develop recommendations to inform and enhance the survey design and experience,
- collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure integration and impact.
Essential skills, knowledge and experience:
- You will have a PhD in a relevant subject (e.g. ecology, biology, geography, applied statistics) with a strong analytical focus, or equivalent experience, and substantial additional experience doing relevant research.
- You will have specialist and up-to-date knowledge of how to use and apply ecological models, such as time-series or spatiotemporal analysis, including complex analytical procedures, to enable innovative, robust analysis and interpretation to data.
- You will have strong coding skills, including fluency in R, high standards of reproducible research, experience producing analytical pipelines and ability to learn new approaches or languages.
- Knowledge of how to provide practical and scientific leadership and guidance in a particular scientific area.
- You will be self-motivated and able to work efficiently under pressure to meet deadlines, and prioritise your own working schedule. This necessitates the ability to plan and organise your own work.
- You will have a methodical and rigorous approach to experimental design, data collection, data management and analysis, ensuring data and results pass peer-reviewed standards of scrutiny and audit.
- You will be a skilled collaborative, adaptable worker and communicator, with experience working with a range of stakeholders.
Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:
- You will have experience in collecting, curating and analysing large complex data sets, preferably citizen science or biodiversity monitoring data.
- You will have experience in developing novel approaches to audience appropriate data visualisation.
- You will exhibit project design to a robust scientific standard, forecasting the necessary time scales, which could range from weeks to years.
- You will be an effective communicator, tailoring high quality written and visual materials for a range of audiences and using a range of communications channels to share ideas and project results.
- You will have a demonstrable track record of scientific publication.
- You will have knowledge of garden bird ecology and factors impacting their populations, set in a broader knowledge of ecological principles and current scientific issues relevant to conservation.
Additional Information:
- The location of the role is flexible within the UK; however, occasional travel to meet team members or collaborators, often at the RSPB HQ in Bedfordshire or in Cambridge, would be expected.
- This is a Fixed-Term, Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week, for 2 years.
- The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from late-September.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
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.
The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
As part of this application process, you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.
No agencies please.
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Senior Conservation Scientist - Ecological Analyst employer: RSPB
Join the RSPB as a Food and Beverage Team Member at our new café in The Lodge Nature Reserve, where you can contribute to vital conservation efforts while enjoying a supportive work environment. We offer flexible daytime hours, generous benefits including a pension scheme, life assurance, and 26 days of annual leave, alongside opportunities for personal and professional development. Embrace a culture that values inclusivity and diversity, making it an ideal place for those passionate about nature and customer service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Conservation Scientist - Ecological Analyst
✨Get Involved in Local Environmental Initiatives
Dive into your local environmental scenes, like community clean-up projects or eco-focused events. Not only will you meet like-minded people, but it's a surefire way to showcase your passion and skills in environmental engineering tech.
✨Join Industry-Specific Organisations
Check out organisations like the Institution of Environmental Engineers for networking opportunities and resources. They often host events and seminars that can help us connect with key players in the industry, including potential employers like RSPB.
✨Show Off Your Projects and Passion
Create a portfolio that highlights any relevant projects, whether it's coursework, internships, or personal initiatives. Share this online, perhaps even on platforms like GitHub or your own website, to grab the attention of hiring managers looking for talent like us.
✨Utilise Environmental Job Boards
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Conservation Scientist - Ecological Analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for a role in environmental engineering tech, make sure to highlight your technical skills like CAD software proficiency, data analysis, or modelling techniques. These are essential for the job and should stand out in your CV and cover letter, showing how you can contribute to projects at RSPB.
Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability:In this field, showcasing your passion for sustainability and environmental protection can set you apart. Include any relevant projects, volunteer experience, or courses that underline your commitment to these causes. RSPB will appreciate candidates who genuinely care about making a difference.
Tailor Your Application to the Role:Don't just send a generic CV and cover letter. Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Senior Conservation Scientist - Ecological Analyst at RSPB. Highlight experiences that align directly with the job description and give concrete examples of your work to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a full-time position.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have certifications related to environmental engineering or technology, like LEED Accreditation or any relevant software certifications, make sure to mention them. These qualifications can boost your application and show that you’re serious about your professional development in this competitive field.
How to prepare for a job interview at RSPB
✨Brush Up on Environmental Regulations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest environmental regulations and standards. In an environmental engineering tech role at RSPB, you might be asked specific questions about compliance measures, so understanding these will definitely give you an edge.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your proficiency with relevant tools and software, such as AutoCAD or GIS. You might be given a practical problem to solve during the interview, so it’s a great idea to brush up on these skills and perhaps even bring a portfolio of your projects to showcase your technical prowess.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sustainability
In a full-time role, employers are looking for commitment and enthusiasm. Share your experiences, studies, or projects that reflect your passion for environmental sustainability. This will show RSPB that you're not just qualified but genuinely invested in the field.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Be ready for behavioural questions that assess how you handle teamwork, conflict, and project management. Think of examples from your studies or practical experiences where you tackled challenges effectively, showcasing both your technical and interpersonal skills.
