Lead Ecologist

Zulu Ecosystems; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading company in ecological restoration as a Lead Ecologist. You will oversee surveys and project delivery, manage multiple initiatives, and collaborate with various stakeholders. This role requires a strong commitment to biodiversity and environmental best practices, along with expertise in survey techniques and data analysis.

Qualifications

• Passion for nature, commitment to climate and biodiversity.
• Proficient in digital data collection and report writing.
• Experience managing multiple projects and sub-contracts.

Responsibilities

• Design and oversee ecological surveys to support project delivery.
• Analyze survey data for insights and manage projects concurrently.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and guide internal teams on improvements.

Skills

Habitat and species survey techniques

GIS

Data analysis

Communication skills

Project management

Tools

Python

QGIS

Job description

Who are we?

Zulu Ecosystems' mission is to responsibly regenerate natural ecosystems so that the planet and its communities can thrive. We combine proprietary technology and domain expertise with on-the-ground relationships to mobilise landowners, investors, government bodies, and communities around large-scale nature programmes.

Our primary focus in Scotland is on natural regeneration of ancient woodlands, native woodland creation, and peatland restoration. All our projects seek to achieve the highest overall impact in terms of biodiversity, water regulation, carbon sequestration, and local community benefits.

Your mission

As Lead Ecologist, you will oversee ecological surveys and ground truth our analytics to support the design and delivery of projects across Scotland and beyond. As a member of the Operations team, your work will contribute to planning, designing, implementing, and monitoring restoration projects. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team including R&D and Origination teams to quantify and ensure synergy between project interventions and ecosystem outcomes.

You will:

1. Support programme managers by defining and designing surveys for ecosystem restoration and creation projects.
2. Design, undertake, and supervise ongoing monitoring, reporting, and verification of projects.
3. Analyze survey data to derive insights for project advancement.
4. Manage multiple projects concurrently.
5. Maintain high standards of ecological integrity and project quality, while being adaptable and practical.
6. Communicate and collaborate with stakeholders, including landowners and land managers, and guide internal stakeholders on process improvements.
7. Support development of new tools/technology to enhance site assessment, project design, and monitoring.
8. Contribute to research on biodiversity indicators and ecosystem uplift, translating best practices between fieldwork and academic research.
9. Adhere to workplace health and safety standards.

This role involves both desk-based work and fieldwork, including baseline assessments, monitoring, and reporting. You will work directly with stakeholders and play a key role in driving innovation and efficiency.

Your profile

Essential requirements

• A passion for nature and a commitment to addressing climate and biodiversity crises.
• Ability to work alone in remote environments.
• Proven skills in habitat and species survey techniques (e.g., NVC, UKHab, species-specific surveys).
• Knowledge of survey methods for managing sub-contracts.
• Proficiency in GIS, digital data collection, analysis, and report writing.
• Experience managing multiple projects and sub-contracts.
• Ability to develop new assessment methodologies with robust frameworks.
• Understanding of environmental legislation and best practices.
• Experience with Python, QGIS, or similar data analysis tools.
• Excellent communication skills for conveying complex ecological concepts.
• Driver's license and willingness to travel within Scotland and occasionally elsewhere in the UK.

Desirable skills

• Experience with NVC, breeding bird surveys, protected species, herbivore impact assessments, peatland assessments.
• Willingness to deliver survey training.
• Membership or progression towards membership of CIEEM.
• Interest in policy and industry discussions.
• Proficiency with project management tools.
• Proximity to Inverness office.