Science Area Manager Biodiversity and Land Use

UKCEH; Lancaster; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

An environmental research organization is seeking a Science Area Manager to lead the Biodiversity & Land Use science area. The successful candidate will coordinate operations, engage with stakeholders, and contribute to business planning. A scientific degree and experience in a similar role in research are required. This position is hybrid and offers a comprehensive benefits package including a pension contribution, flexible working arrangements, and health perks.

Benefits

27 days annual leave

10% employer pension contribution

Flexible working arrangements

Peer reward and recognition scheme

Dental insurance

Gym/fitness discounts

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

24-hour support for health or financial issues

Qualifications

• Experience working in a similar role in a scientific research environment.
• Understanding of systems and processes for strategic reporting.
• Proven ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage operations of the Biodiversity & Land Use science area.
• Contribute to business planning and reporting against strategic KPIs.
• Manage communications and networking for collaboration.
• Support senior leadership and corporate activities.

Skills

Scientific degree or equivalent experience

High-level expertise of UK/International research landscape

Building and managing relationships with stakeholders

Ability to create strategic reports

Continuous improvement mindset

Delivering against multiple priorities

Education

Relevant scientific degree

Job description

Salary - £48,414 to £51,377
Hybrid working (50/50)
Location: Wallingford, Lancaster, Edinburgh or Bangor
Permanent, full-time
Closing date for applications, Friday, 23rd January 2026. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.

Are you proactive, people-focusedand passionate about driving and shaping change? Do youthrive working independently, building strong relationships, andsupportingtalented scientists and senior leaders?If so, we want to hear from you!Our Associate Science Director, Hazel Jackson is looking for a Science Area Manager to help steer and energise the Biodiversity & Land Use science area here at UKCEH.

We are looking for someone thoughtful,organisedand keen to learn about our science and the people behind it. Someone who communicates openly, buildstrustand understands the value of supporting senior leaders. This role is open to be shaped and crafted to help support how the science area is run and to work closely with Hazel as part of a supportive and collaborative partnership.

You may have experience as a research support manager, research facilitator or research department manager who is ready to contribute to the effective coordination, planning and development of our science.You’llbe joining a talented community of around 125 colleagues, facing uptoand responding to the biodiversity crisis requires data and scientific insights at different scales. Our extensive biodiversity research focuses on species and land-cover monitoring and mapping, ecosystem interactions and environmental change and risks, while capabilities such as the Biological Records Centreprovidevaluable insights into the distribution of species and how they are changing. The science area also considers how to balance sustainable agricultural practices with biodiversity benefits and uses scenarios and models to explorepossible futures.

As science area manager,you’llplayan important rolein ensuring this work is supported,organisedand delivered smoothly.You’llalso join a network of science coordinators,contributing to a collaborative and consistent approach to how we manage science across the organisation.

We’relooking for someone who communicates clearly, works with care and integrity, enjoys building connections across teams, and brings a reflective and supportive mindset to their work. In this role,you’llhelp deliver corporate activities, support senior leadership, and contribute to a positive, inclusive, and well‑coordinated environment for our science and our people.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Proactively coordinating and managing the operations of the Biodiversity & Land Use science area in collaboration with the science support team. Provide insights, knowledge, and information to support the Science Area and the Associate Science Director.
• Significant contributions to business planning and reporting, and lead on reporting against strategic key performance indicators relevant to the Science Area or Associate Science Director. Utilising information from corporate systems to prepare reports, briefings, and analyses to inform decision-making and priorities.
• Taking responsibility for specific delegated corporate tasks and ensure their effective delivery, working with the Associate Science Director and the Science Directorate Business Manager to meet strategic and organisational needs.
• Understanding the portfolio of science within Biodiversity & Land Use, its alignment with UKCEH’s science and strategy, and its position within the wider external landscape. Stay informed about relevant funders and funding sources, stakeholderand partnership portfolios, and keep up to date with developments and drivers in the broader landscape.
• Managing and coordinating communications and networking to foster collaboration within and between Science Areas and disciplines
• Collaborating with scientists and the Research Development Team to stay informed about key stakeholders and partnership portfolios, deliveringand contributing to strategic engagement to advance UKCEH’s strategic ambitions.
• Line management of staff in the Science Area support team.

For the role of Science Area Manager,we’relooking for somebody who has the following skills and experience. However, if youdon’tmeet every requirement butyou’repassionate about the role and our science, and you bring some of the skills, enthusiasm, and commitmentwe’relooking for, we still strongly encourage you to apply:

• A scientific degree, or equivalent experience, and experience working in a similar role in a scientific research environment.
• A high-level ofexpertiseand understanding of the wider UK/International research landscape and ability to use this knowledge for organisational benefit.
• Experience building and managing effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders (UK and internationally).
• The ability to develop a high-level understanding of systems and processes to translate this into strategic reports and analyses for various audiences.
• Demonstrated a continuous improvement mindset.
• Evidence of delivering against multiple priorities across short term-deliverables and longer-termobjectives.

Working for UKCEH is rewarding

We appreciate the continuous dedication and contributions of our staff, which is why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes financial incentives and wellbeing-orientedperks, such as:

• 27 days annual leave (rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service) plus 3 days for Christmas closure
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (role dependant)
• Peer reward and recognition scheme
• Dental insurance, gym/fitness discounts, retail discount portal
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• 24-hour, 365-day support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues and much more...

Apply today!

If this opportunity resonates with you and aligns with your personal career goals, the team would love to receive your application. Please apply bysubmittingyour CV along witha letter of interest outlining what inspires you about this role and what you feel you can bring to it. We want to get to know you — your passion, your motivations, and what excites you about being part of our science community

Please note:Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for thisroleand this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, pleaseindicatethis in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.