Senior Marine Mammal Scientist

Scottish Government; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK government department is seeking a Senior Marine Mammal Scientist to lead scientific research and provide essential guidance on marine mammal regulations and conservation. The successful candidate will possess a PhD in marine mammal ecology and have proven experience in data collection and analysis. Responsibilities include managing scientific projects and ensuring effective communication with key stakeholders. This role offers flexible working options and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Supportive work environment

Employee benefits

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent experience in marine mammal ecology.
• Experience with marine regulations and legislation.
• Skilled in applying assessment tools for evaluating marine impacts.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific advice on marine mammals for government policies.
• Lead scientific guidance to policymakers based on evidence.
• Manage and oversee in-house acoustics projects related to marine mammals.

Skills

Marine mammal ecology

Data collection and analysis

Research project management

Education

PhD in a relevant subject

Job description

Overview

Do you want to play an important role in the management of the marine environment and the sustainable delivery of marine renewables?

The Marine Renewables and Ecology Team (MRE) in the Marine Directorate provides specialist scientific advice to regulators and policy makers. The MRE team currently has around 25 staff who provide advice within government on the potential environmental impacts of marine energy on key receptors including birds, marine mammals, fish and fisheries, benthic habitats, and diadromous fish.

This role provides scientific advice on Scottish Government policies around marine mammals, including advising on the regulation of marine activities, and on the development of policy on marine mammals. As the Senior Marine Mammal Scientist, you will also help to build the evidence base relied upon by decision makers through data collection, analysis, development of projects, and critically, by effectively communicating outputs to regulators and policy makers.

Responsibilities

• Lead areas of the provision of scientific advice and guidance to regulators and policy makers on marine mammals, informed by the best available evidence. This will principally be in relation to marine renewables but may also relate to other marine construction activities, marine conservation and other policy areas.
• Represent MD-SEDD at external meetings, maintaining and further developing constructive collaborative relationships with key external stakeholders including statutory nature conservation bodies, industry, academia, and data asset managers.
• Work within and manage the team to identify and pursue opportunities for delivering applied research (externally commissioned, in house or collaborative) that addresses priority knowledge gaps that are key constraints to advice provision. This may involve PhD project supervision.
• Management and oversight of the marine mammal elements of our in-house acoustics projects, particularly on the development and delivery of scientific outputs.
• The position will include delivery management, and may also include people management.

Qualifications

A PhD in a relevant subject or demonstrate equivalent relevant work experience.

Experience

• A comprehensive understanding of marine mammal ecology and the regulation, legislation and research that relates to marine mammals in Scottish and/or UK waters.
• A sound understanding of applying approaches, tools and assessment methods used to evaluate impacts of marine industry activities on marine mammals.
• Experience of developing and completing research projects to answer key questions relating to marine mammals, including data collection, analysis and interpretation.

Behaviours

• Making effective decisions – Level 3

How to apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation.

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 13 October 2025 however this may be subject to change.

About us

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

Working pattern

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role. From October 2025, the Scottish Government will require staff in hybrid-compatible roles to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Security checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.

Equality statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further information

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

Apply before 23:59 on 25 September 2025. This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only.