Associate / Principal Ecologist in Edinburgh

SLR is a global leader in sustainability solutions, working with clients to help make sustainability happen, within a collaborative, people‑first culture. Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced ecological professional to join our established European Ecology team at Associate or Principal level, delivering high‑profile ecology and biodiversity projects. Based in Scotland (Glasgow or Edinburgh preferred, with remote working considered), the role will focus primarily on ecology inputs for renewables, energy infrastructure and built‑environment projects, with additional exposure to biodiversity strategy, land management and multi‑disciplinary development projects, as well as a small amount of other cross‑sector work spanning infrastructure, mining & minerals and power.

Role

• Lead the delivery of ecology projects from planning through to detailed design, working closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams.
• Project and technical leadership – managing ecological aspects of development and land management projects across renewables, built environment, infrastructure and mining.
• Client management and proposal support – preparing fee proposals, scopes of work, technical reports and reviewing peer/subcontractor outputs.
• Mentoring and coaching less experienced ecologists – supporting team capability, staff development and (where appropriate) line management.
• Desk‑based work alongside site visits across the UK and Ireland – including oversight of complex ecological survey programmes.
• Business development and strategic growth – identifying opportunities to expand ecology and related services in the region.
• Collaboration with other technical teams – including planning, landscape, hydrology, noise and air quality, and working closely with senior ecology colleagues across the UK and internationally.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Environmental and Earth Sciences, Planning, ESIA and Engineering, along with Global Advisory, on complex and impactful projects, with opportunities for European and international exposure.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with discretionary bonus
• Company pension
• Private medical insurance
• Life, income, and travel insurance
• Salary sacrifice car lease and cycle‑to‑work schemes
• Flexible, hybrid and agile working
• 25 days’ annual leave plus flexible public holidays
• Buy or sell leave options
• Core working hours
• Cross‑border remote working and sabbatical opportunities
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, and specialist support for mental health, stress and menopause.

About You

• An ecological specialism (e.g. habitat survey, protected species, ornithology or similar), with broad consultancy experience across multiple ecological disciplines.
• Demonstrable field survey skills, including UK habitat surveys and protected species survey/mitigation design.
• Experience producing and managing ecology chapters for EIAs/ EcIAs and Habitat Regulations Assessments.
• Experience designing ecological enhancement measures and integrating them into early project stages.
• Strong project management skills, including planning work safely, managing budgets and preparing technical reports.
• A track record in project winning, delivery and client management, ideally within a commercial consultancy environment.
• Experience working across sectors such as renewables/power, infrastructure, built environment and mining & minerals.
• A relevant degree and appropriate level of membership of CIEEM (or equivalent).
• A full driving licence valid in the UK.

Culture & Inclusion

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are a Disability Confident, Committed employer. We are committed to equal opportunities and foster a workplace where everyone can thrive, supported by active Culture & Inclusion Committees and Employee Networks. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.