Graduate Ecologist 2027

Ramboll; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and flexible working

27 days holiday + 8 bank holidays

Professional subscription and charter-

Cycle-to-work, private medical and gym

Job summary

Ramboll invites applications for Graduate Ecologists to join our Ecologies team in the United Kingdom, with roles across Edinburgh and other offices. You will support ecological surveys, desk studies and biodiversity reporting within our Ecosystems Solutions service line.

Join Ramboll's Early Careers Programme to develop technical, commercial and professional skills, mentored by experienced ecologists to prepare for Chartered membership and a rewarding career in sustainable change.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental or Conservation Biology, Marine or Ecological disciplines.
• Member of CIEEM or eligible for membership.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Numerically competent.
• Excellent English communication and report writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Undertake desk studies for ecological and ornithological data.
• Assist with survey planning and Health and Safety plans.
• Undertake field surveys for flora, habitats and protected species (including remote upland sites in Scotland).
• Undertake ornithological surveys for renewable energy and infrastructure projects.

Skills

IT skills

Numerical ability

English proficiency

Report writing

Education

Biology/Ecology degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Please note – Ramboll cannot sponsor any post-study or Skilled Worker visas for our early career roles, as the Home Office’s eligibility criteria would not be met.

Launch your career and find your professional home at Ramboll. Be part of a supportive and engaging environment, where you can challenge and explore your professional interests, passions and curiosity in ways that make the most of all the opportunities ahead of you.

We value the things that make you unique. Ramboll’s Nordic heritage and founding aim, of improving conditions for people and nature, continue to guide our decision‑making. As a foundation‑owned multinational company, with 97.5% shares owned by the Ramboll Foundation, profits are reinvested into the company for the continued development of employees or used to fund research, charitable and humanitarian projects.

Our commitment to be ‘The Partner for Sustainable Change’ and to act responsibly in everything that we do, means that you’ll be working on projects that make a positive difference to individuals, communities and the environment.

Our Early Careers Programme – EarlyCareers@Ramboll

We have designed a training programme that will boost your personal, commercial and technical development to kick‑start your career with Ramboll. You will also be paired with a mentor and have access to a clear framework to work towards your professional development.

The Early Careers Design Challenge is one of the highlights of the graduate training. This is a fun and exciting event where you get to work on a project for one of our clients that will provide you with an insight into the concept of design. You also get the opportunity to collaborate and network with amazing people and peers.

About this opportunity

We invite you to bring your strong desire to make meaningful, positive change and your passion for nature conservation into play in our Ecosystems Solutions Service Line. Depending on the role, you would undertake ecological surveys and produce high quality reports including habitat and species surveys, support the delivery of a range of biodiversity project work, alongside our Ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) specialists or support the delivery of a range of project work with a broad environmental and sustainability remit founded in biology and ecosystems knowledge.

To succeed in this role, you must be willing to develop your ecological or conservation skills to assist in more complex work or to develop skills as part of our team delivering environmental net gain, biodiversity and natural capital, and nature‑based solutions. You would ideally be a Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management or be eligible to qualify for membership at the appropriate grade.

We are looking for Graduate Ecologists in our teams based in Leeds,Edinburgh, Bristol, Southampton, Exeter, London. Please ensure you specify your location preferences on your application.

Key tasks and responsibilities:

• Undertake desk studies for ecological and ornithological data
• Assist with survey planning including preparation of Health and Safety Plans
• Undertake field surveys for flora, habitats and protected species (including working on remote, upland sites across Scotland)
• Undertake ornithological surveys for renewable energy and linear infrastructure developments

The key deliverables for this role over the first 12-24 Months will be:

• Preliminary Ecological Appraisal / Ecological Impact Assessment
• Species survey reports
• Biodiversity Net Gain assessment

Your skills and experience

For this role, we believe your starting point is:

• A Bachelors or Masters degree in one of the following: Biology, Ecology, Environmental Biology, Conservation Biology, Marine Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Ecosystem Services, Natural Capital or Ecological Economics
• Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management or be eligible to qualify for membership at the appropriate grade
• Have experience with IT packages including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook;
• Be numerically competent;
• Possess excellent English communication skills, both oral and written;
• Have excellent report writing skills

Benefits you will enjoy:

• Hybrid and flexible working
• 27 days holiday per year and 8 days bank holiday
• Professional subscription and support in becoming chartered
• Range of employee benefits, such as cycle-to-work scheme, private medical insurance, discounted Taste card subscription, Gymflex and many more.

Selection Process:

• Step 1: Apply online
• Step 2: Shortlisting
• Step 3: Interviews and/or Assessment Centre

Work at the heart of sustainable change with Ramboll in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Ramboll is a global architecture, engineering, and consultancy company. As a foundation‑owned people company, founded in Denmark, we believe that the purpose of sustainable change is to create a thriving world for both nature and people. So, that’s where we start – and how we work. Our history is rooted in a clear vision of how a responsible company should act and being open and curious is a cornerstone of our culture. Ramboll in the United Kingdom and Ireland has a proven track record of sustainable and responsible business and is a top ten engineering and environmental and sustainability consultancy in the UK, with more than 1,500 employees across 16 offices. Ramboll experts deliver innovative solutions across Buildings, Transport, Environment & Health, and Energy. In 2024, Ramboll was included in the Sunday Times’ list of Best Places to Work.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of what we do. At Ramboll, we believe that diversity is a strength and that different experiences and perspectives are essential to creating truly sustainable societies. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive work environment where everyone is able to flourish and reach their potential. We also know how important it is to achieve the right balance of where, when, and how much you work. As a company, Ramboll recognises the importance of having a good work/life balance, both in terms of individual well‑being and its positive impact with respect to the engagement and retention of our employees. We aim to support all employees to achieve a work/life balance which enables them to work in a supported manner while having the time to achieve personal aspects of their life outside of work. We invite applications from candidates of all backgrounds and characteristics.

As a Disability Confident Committed employer, Ramboll ensures opportunities are accessible to candidates with disabilities. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to the application process to make it more comfortable for you. You can contact us at [e-mail] with such requests.

Deadline for applications: 1st December 2026