Field Researcher

Looking for a summer adventure? We’re hiring five Field Researchers to explore the dynamic world of Economics with us.

Job status & start date: This is a temporary summer position lasting 11 weeks, starting on 29 June 2026 and ending on 11 September 2026.

Location: In this role, you will primarily be conducting fieldwork and traveling across the UK. Our Economics team is located in Edinburgh, and there will be times when you are required to join them at their base. However, the majority of your time will be spent on the road, visiting various locations.

The salary for this post is £25,741 per year.

What’s this role about? As a Field Researcher, you'll play a vital role in gathering data for our annual survey of the fishing fleet throughout the UK. Picture yourself visiting different ports and harbours in breathtaking locations, and interacting with fishermen, vessel owners, and skippers as you collect socio‑economic information for our UK Fishing Fleet Survey. This role is a great opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in the UK’s seafood sector and a chance for you to contribute to our publications by sharing your insights gleaned from engaging directly with those involved in the industry.

Before you embark on this thrilling journey, here’s what you need to know:

• You’ll have specific targets for completing surveys, but don’t worry, we’ll support you every step of the way.
• You will need to be able to drive for this role.
• Our goal is to survey every single port and harbour in the UK, which means visiting numerous locations across the country.
• You’ll be on the move a lot, staying overnight in different areas.
• We’ll set you up with a vehicle for your convenience.
• Due to the diverse schedules of individuals you will engage with, flexibility is key.

Get ready to think outside the box to achieve your survey targets. We’ve got you covered! Our team led by the Survey Project Manager will meticulously plan, organise, and cover all your travel costs and accommodations, ensuring a seamless experience for you.

The role begins on Monday, 29 June 2026. We will provide comprehensive training to equip you with the necessary interview techniques, industry knowledge, and safety protocols before you begin fieldwork. This training will take place over the first two weeks after starting and will be held in Edinburgh and Peterhead. It is therefore essential that you are available to start on 29 June and attend the full two‑week training period. Our goal is to ensure you feel fully prepared and confident in your abilities before starting your research activities.

Data collection: Conducting in‑person interviews with fishermen, fishing vessel owners and skippers across UK ports to gather socio‑economic and financial data.

Engagement and communication: Building rapport and engaging with industry members to encourage participation in the survey. Utilising strong communication skills to facilitate conversations and gather relevant information.

Data entry: Entering collected data into digital survey forms using tablets or mobile phones to ensure comprehensive datasets for further analysis by the economics team.

Data quality assurance: Ensuring the quality of collected data to provide reliable raw data suitable for analysis.

Organisational tasks: Organising and delivering work using digital survey forms and collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams.

Essential working relationships: Daily reporting to the Fleet Survey Project Manager, while working closely with the rest of the Economics team. Daily communication with members of the UK fishing sector and other industry representatives, to undertake interviews and gather information on fishing sector activity. Semi‑regular communication with Seafish stakeholders via social media platforms and press articles to promote the fleet survey.

Essential skills and attributes:

• Target‑driven attitude: Being motivated to achieve set targets and goals in data collection/surveys.
• Confident communication: Being able to confidently approach industry members and engage in meaningful but sometimes challenging conversations.
• Ability to work under pressure: Capable of working efficiently against deadlines and managing workload effectively.
• Organisational skills: Ability to organise and prioritise tasks independently, seeking support when necessary.
• Sound judgement: Exercising discretion and good judgement during fieldwork and interviews.
• Self‑motivation: Having the drive and initiative to work independently and meet agreed results.
• Interpersonal skills: Eager to meet new people and establish rapport with individuals in the fishing sector.
• Driving: A full, clean driving licence with ability to drive confidently as part of the role’s requirements.

Qualification (desirable but not essential): A degree in Economics or other social sciences, preferably with a research component. While this is desirable, it is not essential, as candidates with relevant skills, experience, and alternative educational backgrounds may also be considered. Competent in using Microsoft Teams and the Microsoft Office package. Knowledge of primary research techniques, ability to exercise critical thinking, and a good understanding of the importance of data quality. Experience working in professional project teams.

What we are offering: The salary for this post is £25,741 per year pro rata. Annual leave will be calculated on a pro‑rata amount according to the contract duration, plus the end of August Bank Holiday that falls within the contract period. A generous employer pension scheme – Seafish will double your contribution, up to a maximum employer contribution of 10%. Access to a range of health and wellbeing benefits and resources, including free eye tests. An unlimited employee assistance scheme is a support service available 24/7 – it offers confidential, impartial advice on anything you need such as work, family, finance support or anything else personal to you. We have a professional development culture with plenty of learning opportunities.

Application process: To apply for the post you should email your application to recruitment@seafish.co.uk. Please include “Field Researcher” in the subject line of your email. Your application should include:

• A covering letter OR a short video explaining why you are a suitable candidate.
• A recent copy of your CV so we can find out more about your skills and experience.
• A completed copy of our recruitment consent form.

The deadline for applications is Sunday, 10 May 2026. Please note that we may close the vacancy earlier if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. If you need any accommodations or adjustments during our recruitment and selection process, please reach out to us. While we welcome applications from candidates around the world, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. For any queries about the job description or the salary and benefits on offer, please email recruitment@seafish.co.uk.