Botanical & Entomology Field Surveyors

Salary: £31,942 - £33,898

Job type: Short-Term Appointment, Full-time, 37 hours per week

Dates: 27th April - 4th September 2026

Closing date for applications: 30 January 2026. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.

Are you a passionate and experienced Botanist or Entomologist? Would you be interested in contributing to UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology's (UKCEH) nationally important fieldwork across England? We’re looking for 12 Botanical or Entomological Field Surveyors to join our national LandSpAES survey team working across England during the summer season of 2026.

LandSpAES Project Summary

UKCEH are conducting a re-survey of the high-profile Landscape-scale species monitoring of agri-environment schemes (LandSpAES) project, building on a baseline survey carried out between. Funded by Natural England, this project has developed a robust, landscape-scale monitoring programme to understand how agri-environment schemes influence key mobile species across England.

The survey report from the project is available here:

The 2026 Season & Site Locations

These are four-month fixed-term appointments, working full-time (37 hours per week) for the 2026 survey season, running from late April to early September 2026. Our fieldsites are located in: Yorkshire, Devon, Warwickshire, Kent / Sussex, Lincolnshire / Cambridge, Essex / Suffolk. We invite applications from candidates who are comfortable working mainly based in one of these regions, with a possible requirement to travel to other regions.

What You’ll Get Up To

Working on behalf of UKCEH as a Field Surveyor, you’ll spend the summer contributing to nationally important fieldwork in some of the country’s most varied and remote landscapes. You’ll play a crucial role in delivering this national biodiversity monitoring programme that will help shape the future of agri-environment policy in England.

Important & Logistical Information

This is a field-based role working across England, requiring regular weekday travel and periods of overnight stays, depending on survey schedules. Travel expenses from your assigned temporary accommodation to your place of work (fieldsite) are reimbursable, as well as your first and last journey to your assigned region.

This role involves working outdoors for extended periods, including carrying survey equipment across uneven, rugged and sometimes remote terrain. A level of physical fitness appropriate to these activities is required. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and will consider reasonable adjustments where possible.

Fieldwork will take place in all weather conditions and may occasionally involve remote locations, or early morning starts for moth trapping. We’re looking for someone with a flexible, positive approach and the confidence to adapt to changing conditions, with appropriate support and planning.

All surveyors must be available to attend a one-week, full-time training course at our Wallingford (Oxfordshire) Head Office site from 27 April - 1 May 2026.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for Botanists and Entomologists who genuinely enjoy working as part of a supportive, hands-on team and bring a positive, can-do attitude to every day in the field. You’ll take real pride in getting the details right - whether accurately identifying species, recording habitats or following agreed scientific protocols, and you’ll be someone who’s always happy to muck in and help others.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Accurately recording entomological, botanical and habitat data in the field, following scientific monitoring protocols
• Reliable and precise data entry using UKCEH-provided data capture software and mapping tools
• Liaising professionally with landowners, fellow surveyors and the survey management team
• Ensuring the security and integrity of field and personal data
• Taking responsibility for personal and team health and safety

Strong communication skills, reliability and a collaborative approach are key, as is the ability to build good relationships with fellow surveyors, landowners and the wider project team. You’ll need to be comfortable working outdoors in all weathers, adaptable when plans change, and confident managing your time and responsibilities independently.

If you love variety, fresh air, and the satisfaction of contributing high-quality botanical and habitat data to a nationally significant project - all while working alongside a dedicated, friendly team - we’d be delighted to hear from you.

This is a rewarding and highly practical field-based role that will take you to remote, beautiful, and at times physically challenging sites across England. During fieldwork you will stay in short-term rental accommodation with basic cooking and cleaning facilities. In most cases, one or two team members will share a property - this may include mixed-gender accommodation - with shared kitchen and bathroom spaces. Please ensure you are fully comfortable with this type of living arrangement and the remote nature of the work before applying.

For the role of Surveyor, we’re looking for somebody who has:

• Botanists: Strong botanical survey skills across a range of habitats (equivalent to FISC Level 4 or higher) as well as the ability to recognise broad and priority habitats
• Entomologists: Ability to identify UK bumblebees and/or butterflies to a species level in the field
• A keen interest and passion for species plant or insect identification (no formal academic qualification required), preferably with experience and involvement with other citizen science or species surveys
• Experience of surveying at other field sites, and following specific scientific protocols
• Highly practical, with excellent communication and team-working skills
• Capability to work independently, show initiative and manage your own time effectively
• IT literacy and the ability to learn new field data-recording software
• A full driving licence (please confirm on your CV or supporting statement)

Desirable Skills

It would be great if you bring some additional skills to the role, such as experience in ecological surveying, confidence using GIS or other mapping and data-capture software in the field, and a valid outdoor First Aid certificate. Off-road (4x4) driving experience would also be a real bonus, helping you get to some of the more remote survey locations.

This role offers valuable opportunities to build new skills, deepen your botanical and entomological knowledge, and gain hands-on experience alongside a supportive team of experienced surveyors. Many of our surveyors return for multiple seasons, citing the field experience, team environment, and skill development as key reasons for coming back.

How to Apply & Essential Application Checklist / Criteria

If this opportunity aligns with your career goals, we would be delighted to receive your application. To help ensure your application is considered successfully, please ensure your CV and Supporting Statement clearly demonstrate the following:

• Upload a CV detailing your relevant survey work, including clear examples, and experience following established scientific protocols.
• Upload a short Supporting Statement (300-500 words instructions below). Please do not submit a cover letter these will not be considered.
• Confident and relevant species identification skills.
• Any relevant qualifications or training relating to botany.
• Confirmation of your full-time availability for the summer season (late April - September 2026), and dates for scheduled interviews and the HQ training session.
• A full driving licence and ability to drive manual fleet vehicles.

TO APPLY PLEASE CLICK THE "APPLY NOW" BUTTON AND YOU WILL BE REDIRECTED TO BEGIN THE APPLICATION PROCESS.