Principal Aquatic Ecologist

AECOM; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development opportunities

Flexible hybrid working model

Technical practice networks

AECOM University

Volunteering days

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Principal Aquatic Ecologist to join the Aquatic Ecology Team across the UK & Ireland, with a base in Dublin. You’ll lead EcIA/EIA work, guide aquatic ecology input on EIA and planning, and mentor junior team members while delivering high-quality reports for major infrastructure projects.

You’ll provide technical leadership in aquatic ecology, develop data analyses, manage survey design and budgeting, and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to deliver sustainable outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience of ecological impact assessment (EcIA/EIA).
• Experience of WFD compliance assessment.
• Understanding of industry standard monitoring techniques for aquatic ecology.

Responsibilities

• Lead ecological impact assessment work within projects.
• Provide technical leadership in aquatic ecology for the region.
• Mentor and line-manage members of the Aquatic Ecology team.
• Author and review technical reports with multi-disciplinary inputs.
• Develop data analysis and processing workflows for aquatic studies.
• Oversee survey design and costing for ecological inputs.
• Support wider environmental projects and client engagements.

Skills

EcIA/EIA experience

WFD compliance assessment

aquatic ecology monitoring techniques

WFD-compliant monitoring methods

Water Framework Directive knowledge

Full UK driving licence

Job description

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

Start here. Grow here.

We are looking for an experienced Principal Aquatic Ecologist to join the Aquatic Ecology Team at AECOM. This role can be based in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin and Belfast.

Our team are working on a diverse range of projects: baseline data collection and monitoring for major infrastructure and utility projects, fish passage and weir removal projects, habitat restoration for regulators and the private sector, pollution response surveys, water quality investigations, etc.

Here’s what you’ll do:

• Playing an important role in a team of multi-skilled aquatic ecologists in AECOM’s nationwide offices and laboratories;
• Supporting the Team Leader with business development in Scotland;
• Providing technical leadership in the UK for aquatic ecology in your area of expertise;
• Providing aquatic ecology input into EIA, planning, mitigation, and multi-disciplinary projects;
• Mentoring and line managing members of the Aquatic Ecology team
• Authoring and reviewing technical reports, working with multi-disciplinary teams to provide specialist input;
• Developing data analysis and processing;
• The production of Ecological Impact Assessment documents in line with CIEEM guidelines;
• Managing aquatic ecology input into projects, including survey design and costing;
• Supporting the wider environmental business.

If you're passionate about innovation and turning bold ideas into reality, AECOM welcomes you. Join our team, where we don't just construct infrastructure but also uplift communities and enhance lives. Why not give our AECOM Water page on LinkedIn a follow to stay updated on the impactful projects we're working on and see firsthand the difference we're making in the industry!

Come & Grow with Us.

Become part of AECOM's industry-leading Environment Business Line, working alongside specialists in ecology, environmental assessment, nature-based solutions, arboriculture, archaeology, impact assessment and environmental management across the UK & Ireland.

You will join a growing, friendly, and highly motivated team, and contribute to a diverse range of projects: baseline data collection and monitoring for major infrastructure and utility projects, fish passage and weir removal projects, habitat restoration for regulators and the private sector, pollution response surveys, water quality investigations, etc.

Enjoy the Perks.

At AECOM, you'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.

Qualifications

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Experience of ecological impact assessment (EcIA/EIA);
• Experience of WFD compliance assessment;
• Understanding of industry standard monitoring techniques and analyses for aquatic ecology, and associated consenting/permitting requirements;
• Understanding of industry standard WFD-compliant monitoring techniques;
• Knowledge of legislation relating to the aquatic environment and its implementation, particularly the Water Framework Directive;
• Full UK driving licence

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at [e-mail]. At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives.

Additional Information

Interested in the role or curious about life at AECOM? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more!

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long-term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address [e-mail] if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ReqID: J10159104

Business Line: Environment

Business Group: DCS

Strategic Business Unit: Europe & India

Career Area: Science

Work Location Model: Hybrid