Fisheries Science Advisor in Maidstone

We are seeking a Fisheries Science Advisor to provide analysis, evidence and advice to support fisheries science issues and priorities across the organisation.

• Applications close on 28 August 2026. *
• Quick overview of the role
• Job status: Full-time, fixed term-contract until April 2028
• Location: Homebased (UK) or office-based in Edinburgh or Grimsby
• Salary: The starting salary for this role is £41,000 per year.
• Job role, responsibilities and relationships

Job Purpose

• Provide specialist fisheries science input to support robust stock assessment, data analysis and evidence synthesis for sustainable fisheries governance and policy decisions.
• Translate complex technical evidence into clear, actionable advice for decision-makers and evidence-based fisheries policy.
• Manage and support fisheries science projects and stakeholder engagement with industry, government and scientific communities.

Dimensions & Accountabilities

• Apply specialist and technical fisheries science knowledge to support work programmes, technical reporting, and the development of scientific approaches and methods.
• Apply technical fisheries science expertise across workstreams, communicate effectively, and provide insight using core ICES concepts such as BLIM and recruitment.
• Act as a focal point for fisheries science advice and information sharing across the organisation.
• Manage the work related to ICES processes, stock assessment interpretation, and dissemination of stock advice to stakeholders.
• Provide informed, accessible scientific advice to industry stakeholders on fisheries science, stock status, and management issues.
• Respond to and advise on industry queries related to data‑deficient stocks, ensuring consistent and evidence‑based guidance.
• Undertake high-quality data analysis, applying robust statistical and analytical methods to support stock assessments and wider fisheries science programmes.
• Produce clear technical reports and analysis on fisheries science topics for industry, policy and internal programmes.
• Respond to emerging or ad‑hoc scientific requests, including undertaking Risk Assessments for Seafood Sourcing (RASS) and related analyses.

Planning & Organising

• Manage and support planning, organisation and delivery of our fisheries science workstreams.
• Play a key role in the delivery of the fisheries engagement work area, working closely and providing line management and development support to the Fisheries Engagement Officer.
• Manage fisheries science projects end-to-end, coordinating analysis, reporting, stakeholder engagement and internal collaboration.

Decision Making & Judgement

• Use of professional judgement and decision making to plan and manage individual workstreams.
• Use advanced fisheries science expertise to translate robust analysis into fisheries management, policy and research outcomes.

Essential Working Relationships & Stakeholder Engagement

External

• Work with Cefas, Defra Marine and Fisheries, NQS Team, MSC and IFCAs to integrate policy priorities into engagement activities.
• Work with researchers, academics and consultants to reflect scientific progress in engagement activities.
• Appropriate use of external resources.

Internal

• Report to and work closely with the Head of Insights and Supply Chain Intelligence to deliver fisheries science programmes aligned with wider support for UK seafood stakeholders.
• Line management responsibility of Fisheries Engagement Officer, providing day-to-day leadership and support.
• Work collaboratively across other internal teams within the organisation to support communication, coordination, and information sharing.
• Work with the Fishing Gear Innovation Manager to connect gear innovation with fisheries management and science.
• Knowledge, skills and experience required
• Technical and scientific expertise
• A degree in fisheries science, marine biology or a related discipline, with relevant post-qualification experience in research, data analysis, management or policy.

Postgraduate level preferred.

• Strong fisheries science expertise, including stock assessment methods, ecosystem-based management and critical evaluation of scientific advice.
• A proven track record of applying scientific evidence to fisheries management, policy or research programmes.
• Research, analysis and evidence synthesis
• Analytical and research skills, with the ability to interpret complex datasets, models, and scientific outputs.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesise evidence and translate it into clear, actionable insights for decision-making.
• Experience designing and developing high-quality research proposals and securing or managing funded projects.
• Communication and influencing with impact
• Demonstrable ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to non-technical audiences, including policymakers and stakeholders.
• Highly developed report-writing skills, producing clear, authoritative and policy-relevant guidance.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with experience engaging diverse stakeholders and building consensus.
• Policy and stakeholder engagement
• Sound understanding of fisheries policy development processes and the integration of scientific evidence into policy frameworks.
• Experience working at the science–policy interface, supporting evidence-based decision-making.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective networks across industry, government and scientific communities.
• Project and programme management
• Strong project management capability, including planning, prioritising and delivering multiple workstreams with minimal supervision.
• Experience leading or contributing to complex projects from concept through to delivery and evaluation.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage workload effectively and meet competing deadlines.
• Professional and operational competence
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Access and Word, plus data management and collaboration tools such as Share Point and Teams.

Experience with relevant analytical or statistical tools.

Experience of the following would be advantageous

• Familiarity with aquaculture practices, regulatory frameworks and processes related to aquaculture would be desirable.
• Experience of working across academia building links to support policy development and implementation.
• Willingness to travel, including fieldwork and stakeholder engagement activities; full driving licence advantageous.

Every role is Seafish is linked to our bespoke competency framework. The competency levels for this role are:

• Growing Expertise – Creates a learning and development environment
• Embracing Change – Leads and supports others through change
• Building Relationships – Builds effective teams to deliver corporate strategy
• Achieving Results – Builds effective teams to deliver corporate strategy
• Influencing with Impact – Communicates complex messages

Salary and benefits

This role sits within Job Family C in our pay structure, with a starting salary of £41,000.

Appointment level depends on the experience a candidate brings; new candidates normally start at the lower end unless they demonstrate considerable relevant experience.

Additional benefits include

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays and wellbeing break when the organisation closes between Christmas and New Year (3 additional days).
• Optional five days per year paid volunteering leave for an activity of your choice.
• Trust and Performance culture – you work in a way that suits you to get your work done to the expected standard.
• A generous employer pension scheme – we'll double your contribution up to a maximum employer contribution of 10%.
• Health and wellbeing benefits including Cycle to Work, Techscheme, life insurance, wellbeing support, gym discounts and eye care.
• Unlimited 24/7 employee assistance support, offering confidential, impartial advice on work, family, finances or personal matters.
• A professional development culture with plenty of learning opportunities.

Rewards for high performance each year.

Application process

To apply for the post, you should email your application to . Please include “Fisheries Science Advisor” 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 Friday
• We encourage early applications, as we reserve the right to close the vacancy ahead of the advertised closing date if sufficient applications are received.

Candidates invited to interview will be given at least one weeks’ notice of proposed interview date to allow you to prepare.

At this stage you might be asked to complete a task in advance of interview and then answer some competency-based questions during interview.

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.

Further information

For any queries about the job description or the salary and benefits on offer, please email