Lead Ecologist – Infrastructure & Biodiversity

Jacobs; Cork; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Professional development support

Healthcare benefits

Job summary

Jacobs in Ireland is seeking a driven Principal Ecologist to join our growing ecology team. You’ll take a leading role on transformative infrastructure projects across Europe, delivering ecological input for EIAs, AA, and environmental assessments while mentoring junior staff.

You’ll collaborate across disciplines, engage with clients and regulators, and help shape biodiversity outcomes on major water, transport and energy schemes. Hybrid working is available.

Qualifications

• Background in terrestrial ecology with extensive relevant industry experience.
• Degree in ecology or related environmental discipline with extensive industry experience.
• Chartered membership of an appropriate professional body (or eligibility and commitment to achieving chartership).
• Strong technical expertise across ecology, environmental assessment and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent communication and client facing skills, with the ability to influence, advise and lead.
• Experience managing complex projects and contributing to business development, proposals or work-winning activities.
• Collaborative mindset and passion for advancing high-quality ecological outcomes across Ireland’s infrastructure landscape.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to ecological inputs for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Appropriate Assessments (AA).
• Provide strategic ecological advice as a trusted technical lead for clients, project teams and stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, ensuring ecological considerations are integrated into project design and decision-making.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external clients, environmental regulators and stakeholders to support future work pipelines.
• Represent Jacobs through participation in professional networks, conferences, client meetings and knowledge sharing events.
• Mentor, support and guide junior team members, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration.

Skills

Terrestrial ecology

Environmental impact assessment

Regulatory frameworks

Client facing skills

Project leadership

Mentoring

Strategic ecological advice

Education

Degree in ecology or related environmental discipline

Chartered membership (or eligibility to chartership)

Job description

Jacobs in Ireland is seeking a driven Principal Ecologist to join our growing ecology team. You’ll take a leading role on transformative infrastructure projects across Europe, delivering ecological input for EIAs, AA, and environmental assessments while mentoring junior staff.

You’ll collaborate across disciplines, engage with clients and regulators, and help shape biodiversity outcomes on major water, transport and energy schemes. Hybrid working is available.