Researcher, Wetland BioScience

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust; Slimbridge; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Free entry to wetland centres

Contributory pension scheme

Life Assurance

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is seeking an early career scientist to support ecological monitoring across diverse wetland habitats. The role sits in the Wetland BioScience team and offers field, data management, and analysis opportunities, with travel across the UK and some weekend work during field seasons.

The successful candidate will develop field skills across pollinating insects, saltmarsh vegetation, aerial insectivores and aquatic invertebrates, while also handling desk-based data tasks

Qualifications

• Background in ecology and wetland species/habitats.
• Desire to develop cross-taxa field skills and data management experience.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and operate fieldwork independently with health & safety adherence.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field-based survey work across wetland sites (South West and nationally).
• Support desk-based data collation and management; contribute to analysis and reporting tasks.

Skills

Ecology background

Field skills across taxa

Data management

Communication with diverse audiences

Driving licence

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.

About You

The successful candidate will

• 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.

About Us

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?

Why you’ll love working at WWT

• 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.