Principal Ecosystem Ecologist

UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Bangor; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension contribution

Life insurance and income protection

Hybrid working options

Wellbeing initiatives

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology in Bangor, Wales invites an experienced environmental leader to join us as Principal Ecosystem Ecologist. You will lead the Ecosystems and Monitoring team, shape research priorities, and translate complex evidence into trusted policy advice for Welsh Government and national partners.

Reporting to the Head of Land, Soil and Coast, you will steer ERAMMP, drive innovative monitoring and modelling, mentor staff, build collaborations, secure funding, and represent

Qualifications

• A PhD in environmental science or equivalent experience.
• Recognised expertise in ecosystem, land-use or soil science, with a broad understanding of environmental science and the ability to recognise interconnections and integrate evidence across disciplines.
• Proven ability to work with senior leaders to set strategic direction and lead complex, multidisciplinary and multi-partner research programmes.
• Experience of inclusive, values-led line management, together with the ability to mentor staff and supervise PhD students.
• Strong track record of influencing policy and practice through applied science.
• Experience of working with government and senior stakeholders to understand, shape and constructively challenge evidence needs.
• Demonstrated success in securing, commissioning or directing competitively funded research or evidence programmes.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, authoritative policy briefings and represent scientific evidence credibly to policy, research and public audiences.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally, where required.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and strategic leadership for ERAMMP and related applied research programmes, integrating complex evidence across environmental disciplines and translating it into trusted advice and insight for policymakers and practitioners.
• Work alongside the Head of Land, Soil and Coast Group to set the strategic direction and research priorities of the Ecosystems and Monitoring team, supporting the delivery of high-quality, impactful science.
• Mentor and line-manage staff and students, fostering an inclusive, high-performing research culture.
• Produce and oversee high-quality scientific outputs, including policy briefings, reports, publications and data products.
• Lead the development of high-quality funding proposals that expand UKCEH’s national and international research portfolio.
• Act as a visible scientific leader and ambassador for UKCEH, building trusted strategic partnerships across government, devolved agencies, business, research and the wider environmental community in Wales, the UK and internationally.
• More broadly, you will represent UKCEH in Wales, across the UK and internationally, serving as a visible ambassador for our science.
• You will build trusted stakeholder relationships, extend the reach and influence of our evidence, contribute your expertise to other projects, develop new collaborations and secure funding opportunities that strengthen and grow our research portfolio.

Skills

Ecosystem science

Land-use science

Soil science

Policy influence

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Strategic leadership

Mentoring

Education

PhD in environmental science

Job description

Salary: £63,978–£79,549 Hybrid working (50/50) Location: Bangor (Gwynedd, Wales) Permanent, full-time (37 hours per week) Closing date for applications: 16 October 2026. We may begin reviewing applications from 9 October 2026 and progress suitable candidates before the closing date, so we encourage you to apply early. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we find the right candidate. Applications received after this initial review will still be considered if the vacancy remains open.

UKCEH is a leading independent research institute with over 600 scientists studying how the natural world works. We take a connected approach across land, water and air to understand environmental systems and build resilience for people and the planet. We’re offering a rare and exciting opportunity for an experienced environmental leader to join UKCEH as Principal Ecosystem Ecologist, bringing expertise in shaping, leading and applying environmental research and evidence across multiple disciplines and scales. Reporting to and working alongside the Head of Land, Soil and Coast Group, you will lead the Ecosystems and Monitoring team, helping to set its strategic direction, shape its research priorities and support the delivery of high-quality, impactful science. As Principal Investigator, you will lead the Environment and Rural Affairs Monitoring and Modelling Programme (ERAMMP) - a flagship, long-term programme delivered to the Welsh Government through a large consortium of partner organisations. You will provide scientific direction across environmental monitoring, modelling, evidence synthesis and responsive research, bringing a transdisciplinary perspective and recognising the interconnections between environmental disciplines. You will work closely with Welsh Government to shape a scientifically robust programme that meets its policy and reporting needs and ensures evidence informs decision‑making. You will anticipate future environmental challenges, drive innovation and identify where advances such as AI, Earth observation and new sensor technologies could strengthen ERAMMP and shape its future development.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and strategic leadership for ERAMMP and related applied research programmes, integrating complex evidence across environmental disciplines and translating it into trusted advice and insight for policymakers and practitioners.
• Work alongside the Head of Land, Soil and Coast Group to set the strategic direction and research priorities of the Ecosystems and Monitoring team, supporting the delivery of high-quality, impactful science.
• Mentor and line-manage staff and students, fostering an inclusive, high-performing research culture.
• Produce and oversee high-quality scientific outputs, including policy briefings, reports, publications and data products.
• Lead the development of high-quality funding proposals that expand UKCEH’s national and international research portfolio.
• Act as a visible scientific leader and ambassador for UKCEH, building trusted strategic partnerships across government, devolved agencies, business, research and the wider environmental community in Wales, the UK and internationally.
• More broadly, you will represent UKCEH in Wales, across the UK and internationally, serving as a visible ambassador for our science.
• You will build trusted stakeholder relationships, extend the reach and influence of our evidence, contribute your expertise to other projects, develop new collaborations and secure funding opportunities that strengthen and grow our research portfolio.

Qualifications

• A PhD in environmental science or equivalent experience.
• Recognised expertise in ecosystem, land-use or soil science, with a broad understanding of environmental science and the ability to recognise interconnections and integrate evidence across disciplines.
• Proven ability to work with senior leaders to set strategic direction and lead complex, multidisciplinary and multi-partner research programmes.
• Experience of inclusive, values-led line management, together with the ability to mentor staff and supervise PhD students.
• Strong track record of influencing policy and practice through applied science.
• Experience of working with government and senior stakeholders to understand, shape and constructively challenge evidence needs.
• Demonstrated success in securing, commissioning or directing competitively funded research or evidence programmes.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, authoritative policy briefings and represent scientific evidence credibly to policy, research and public audiences.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally, where required.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave - 27 days (rising to 29 days after 5 years) +3 for Christmas closure
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Financial protection through life assurance and income protection
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Flexible and hybrid working options (depending on your role)
• Lifestyle perks including dental, gym, retail and cycling discounts
• A commitment to wellbeing, supported by a range of internal initiatives
• Employee Assistance Programme and health benefits, including 24/7 support with remote GP access, mental health, physiotherapy and lifestyle services
• Peer recognition and rewards that celebrate your contribution
• Salary sacrifice agreement benefits including Electric & Plug‑in Hybrid vehicle and Cycle2Work schemes
• Interest‑free annual travel season ticket loans (terms apply)

We warmly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. As a Disability Confident employer, we’re happy to support you with any adjustments you may need throughout the recruitment process.

Our approach to AI and applications We understand that candidates may use AI tools to support their application. We encourage you to ensure your submission reflects your own experience, skills and suitability for the role. Every application that meets the essential criteria will be reviewed by our recruitment panel.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this role, and the role is not eligible for endorsement under the Global Talent visa route. If you already have, or intend to obtain, the right to work in the UK through another visa route that does not require UKCEH sponsorship, please tell us in your application.

Every one of our 600+ staff and 50+ postgraduate students plays a vital role in delivering our ambition to understand the environment and the human impact on it, so that together people and nature can prosper.

How we work is just as important as what we achieve. We want UKCEH to be a welcoming, inclusive, engaging and collaborative place to work. We embed our values - excellence, integrity and teamwork - into everything we do.

For further information, please visit the UKCEH Website.