At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead marine mammal consultancy projects and develop innovative solutions for environmental challenges.
- Company: Join a leading marine research institute dedicated to conservation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, additional leave options, and access to training courses.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to gender equality and employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on marine conservation while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: PhD or Masters in relevant field with consultancy experience and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: SAMS, Oban
Contract Type: Fixed Term – 24 months in the first instance
Working Pattern: Full Time - 37 hours per week – Monday to Friday
Closing date: 15 June 2026
This role is to provide environmental consultancy leadership within the SAMS Enterprise delivery team, specifically within the Marine Energy core strategic area.
Responsibilities:
- Lead technical development of products and services for commercial work in Marine Mammals consultancy, advising and working with SAMS Enterprise Senior Management Team and Strategic Working Groups to improve, resource and deliver to market needs.
- Technical delivery: implementation of state-of-the-art acoustic automated processing, database management and data visualisation.
- Income generation, working with the business development team to develop and realise new opportunities in this sector.
- This is a key high level technical position to develop and deliver high quality consultancy services to industry and regulators, ensuring projects are delivered effectively to time, cost and quality as per the agreed contractual requirements and to the ISO9001 standard.
Our Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a highly motivated consultant with an enthusiasm for the study and conservation of the marine environment. Demonstrable experience (e.g PhD or Masters preferable, consultancy experience essential) related to marine mammals, bio‑acoustics and/or species distribution/statistical modelling is essential. You should be experienced in the development and delivery of commercial contracts, be able to work collaboratively as part of a small team and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders including regulators, industry and colleagues. You will have a strong background in the collection and analysis of long‑term passive acoustic (using static, drifting and/or towed hydrophones) data. In addition, skills in species distribution and habitat modelling, as well as proficiency in standard programming languages are sought (e.g., R, Python or MATLAB). Experience of visual data analysis (photo‑ID, focal follow, line‑transect surveys) would be valuable. Awareness of UK and Scottish marine environmental regulatory processes in relation to MPAs as well as marine industry (e.g., fisheries, marine energy and aquaculture) monitoring and management is required.
Employee Benefits
We are proud to provide a wide variety of benefits year‑round, offering options to best support our staff, such as:
- Flexible & hybrid working options
- Purchase of additional annual leave
- Shopping discounts
- Cycle 2 Work scheme
- Purchases of technology through salary sacrifice
- Payroll Giving
- Pensions Plus
- Access to portals to support health and wellbeing
- A sabbatical scheme
- Free car parking with access to electronic charging points
- Access to a number of training & development courses
We are a Disability Confident Employer. Where a candidate requires reasonable adjustments as part of the application process, we encourage you to let us know. Where applicants with a disability meet the essential criteria for the job, you will be given the opportunity to demonstrate your skills, talent and abilities at interview. SAMS’ commitment to gender equality has been recognised, as our institute was presented with an Athena SWAN (Scientific Women’s Academic Network) Bronze Award and is currently working towards Investors in Diversity accreditation. SAMS Group is committed to being an equal and open organisation. Diversity and inclusion are important to us, and we strive to remove any barriers that may prevent people from applying to join us. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, and from all who share our values and can help us to broaden our knowledge and range of ideas.
Senior Marine Environmental Consultant – Marine Mammals (SE03.26.MH) employer: SAMS Enterprise
SAMS is an exceptional employer located in the picturesque town of Oban, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation in marine environmental consultancy. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive training opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and a range of benefits designed to support your well-being and work-life balance. Join us in our mission to conserve marine ecosystems while enjoying a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Marine Environmental Consultant – Marine Mammals (SE03.26.MH)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the marine consultancy field, especially those who work with marine mammals. Attend industry events or webinars to make connections and learn about potential job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your experience with bio-acoustics, data analysis, and any relevant projects. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses. Focus on how your background aligns with the role's requirements, especially in technical delivery and collaboration.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We encourage you to submit your application directly on our platform. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Marine Environmental Consultant – Marine Mammals (SE03.26.MH)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Marine Environmental Consultant role. Highlight your experience with marine mammals, bio-acoustics, and any relevant consultancy work. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your enthusiasm for marine conservation and detail how your background aligns with our needs. We love seeing genuine passion for the marine environment.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your technical skills, especially in programming languages like R, Python, or MATLAB. If you have experience with acoustic data analysis or species distribution modelling, make sure to highlight that – it’s super important for us!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s easy peasy!
How to prepare for a job interview at SAMS Enterprise
✨Know Your Marine Mammals
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of marine mammals, their behaviours, and conservation efforts. Be ready to discuss recent studies or advancements in the field, especially those related to bio-acoustics and species distribution. This will show your passion and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with acoustic processing, database management, and data visualisation. Bring examples of past projects where you implemented these skills, and be ready to explain how they contributed to successful outcomes.
✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape
Familiarise yourself with UK and Scottish marine environmental regulations, particularly regarding MPAs and marine industries. Being able to discuss how these regulations impact consultancy work will demonstrate your readiness for the role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would communicate with various stakeholders, from regulators to industry partners. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past, as this role requires strong teamwork and communication skills.
