Researcher, Wetland BioScience

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust; Slimbridge; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Free entry to wetland centres

Free car parking

Secure bike storage

Cycle to work scheme

Contributory pension

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is seeking an early career scientist to join the Wetland Evidence department. You will support ecological monitoring, develop field skills across taxa, and contribute to data management and reporting.

The role centres on field surveys across sites in the South West and nationwide, with travel within the UK and occasional weekend work during field seasons. Applicants should have a background in ecology, a willingness to travel, and the ability to work both

Qualifications

• Background in ecology or related field.
• Interest in wetland species and habitats.
• Desire to develop cross-taxa field skills and data management experience.
• Proactive and engaged across multiple projects.
• Creative problem-solving approach.
• Able to conduct fieldwork independently and manage time safely.

Responsibilities

• Carry out field-based survey work across multiple wetland sites, primarily in the South West and nationally.
• Contribute to desk-based data collation, management, and analysis tasks.
• Assist in reporting and dissemination of findings.

Job description

Are you an early career scientist, looking to gain experience working in a range of wetland habitats within a supportive and internationally recognised team of wetland experts?

WWT's Wetland Evidence department are looking to recruit an early career scientist to support our expanding programme of ecological monitoring. Sitting in the Wetland BioScience team the successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop field skills covering a range of taxa including pollinating insects, saltmarsh vegetation, aerial insectivores (bats and birds) and aquatic invertebrates. The role will also involve desk based data collation and management as well as the opportunity to get involved in analysis and reporting tasks.

The role will centre on field-based survey work across a range of sites, primarily in the South West but also nationally so a willingness to travel and a driving licence are therefore essential.

This is a full-time position, working 37.5 hours per week, for a fixed period until 30th March 2028. During the fieldwork season, this position will require working on some weekends and bank holidays and working outside of normal hours. Considerable flexibility will be required during the fieldwork season.

• have a background in ecology and an interest in wetland species and habitats
• have a desire to develop cross-taxa field skills and desk based data management experience
• be proactive and engaged across multiple projects and tasks
  
• have the ability to bring a creative approach to problem solving, finding practical solutions
• be able to conduct fieldwork independently, managing own time efficiently whilst following health & safety regulation
• be willing to travel (within the UK) and have a driving licence
• have good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with a wide range of audiences and members of public and maintain effective relationships with colleagues and partners.

Please view the full job description for all the responsibilities and specifications for the role.

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

• Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
• 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
• Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
• Cycle to work scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
• Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme

WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.