Principal Aquatic Ecologist

Stantec\’s Ecology Team partners with clients to deliver innovative, sustainable, and efficient solutions using contemporary approaches to solve complex environmental challenges. We are seeking a Principal Aquatic Ecologist with a broad understanding of aquatic ecology to join our nationwide team. As we continue to expand our impact in environmental and regulatory services, our ideal candidate will demonstrate versatility across a wide variety of project deliverables, including both development impacts and water resources projects. We value both general expertise and individual specialisms, actively encouraging your unique interests while prioritising a wide-ranging skill set. We\’re looking for a highly skilled and passionate Aquatic Ecologist to take a leading role in our team. You\’ll be instrumental in shaping and delivering aquatic ecology elements across major projects primarily within the water sector, while also supporting our work in energy, infrastructure, and development. You\’ll provide broad technical input, leading and contributing to the full spectrum of aquatic ecology survey and impact assessment activities. This includes diverse project types such as drought planning, water resource management, and environmental restoration. You\’ll oversee the design and execution of surveys for macroinvertebrates, fish, macrophytes, and invasive species, and provide crucial technical input into environmental impact assessments and Water Framework Directive (WFD) compliance work. You\’ll gain broad project exposure, engaging in everything from land development impacts to water abstraction, pollution investigations, and resource management, ensuring ecological needs are balanced with industry objectives. While a wide skill set is preferred, we highly value and will nurture individuals with a particular specialism, such as fish ecology, aquatic plants, or hydro-ecology, as part of our comprehensive consultancy offering. This role involves significant collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, mentoring junior colleagues, and fostering knowledge sharing. You\’ll build strong relationships with clients, regulators, and stakeholders, contributing to business development, proposals, and client management. About You You\’re a seasoned aquatic ecologist with broad knowledge of UK aquatic ecology, spanning freshwater environments, and ideally with some exposure to marine or transitional settings. You bring proven experience in designing, implementing, and interpreting aquatic ecology and water quality surveys for EIA, HRA, WFD, and other relevant frameworks. You have the capability to assess a wide variety of ecological impacts, from infrastructure development to operational water resources projects. Familiarity with appropriate assessment tools (e.g., RICT, DARLEQ2/3), ecological reporting software, and the use of GIS for data analysis is essential. Ideally, you\’ll also demonstrate the ability to apply best practice survey techniques across multiple taxa and habitats. Any particular specialism you possesssuch as fish ecology, invasive species, restoration, or hydro-ecologywill be highly encouraged and supported as part of your ongoing personal and professional development. We value strategic insight and commercial awareness, including experience leading projects and developing client relationships. Professionally, you will hold a degree in environmental science, aquatic ecology, or a related field. Progress toward or attainment of Chartered Status (e.g., CEnv, CEcol) and membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., CIEEM, IFM, RSB) are preferred. If you\’re ready to lead the charge on complex ecological projects and make a real difference, step forward! We\’re eager to welcome you to our dynamic team. \\UKWater LI-MH1 About Stantec The Stantec community unites more than 32,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities. Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with todays challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities. Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesnt exactly align, we encourage you to apply. At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact and we will talk to you about how we can support you. ReqID: 756241bf1e1f-b16b-4260-a40a-17c77a06fd15