Conservation Scientist – Island Restoration

Introduction

The removal of invasive predators from island ecosystems delivers major conservation benefits. We are looking for an island restoration scientist to help realise these benefits by joining our international science team and providing scientific evidence to support the RSPB’s Island Restoration Program.

What’s the role about?

You will work with RSPB colleagues in the conservation science, programmatic and policy departments, as well as partner organisations in the UK Overseas Territories and collaborators from the global island restoration community. You will develop and conduct research to inform island restoration planning and methodology, monitor project efficacy and explore novel island restoration techniques. You will maintain and develop external collaborations, collating and analysing evidence from the grey and scientific literature to investigate global trends in island restoration science. You will also support, and potentially lead, the development of external funding proposals and present the results of your work to internal and external audiences.

Your work will focus on broader island restoration science and the RSPB’s Henderson and Pitcairn Island Restoration Project. This will include being part of an expedition team planning to visit the island for 4 months from June to October 2026 to collect data and information to inform a potential operation, with a likely repeat visit in 2027.

The post is for two years fixed term initially, with the possibility that this will be extended further depending on external funding.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• PhD in relevant subject, or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of island restoration science issues and practice, gained through experience of leading a scientific project.
• Experience of developing and implementing field trials and surveys for biodiversity conservation using appropriate data collection methods.
• Data analysis using appropriate statistical methods and presentation of the results of these analyses in reports and peer-reviewed scientific papers.
• Experience of extended fieldwork in remote locations with basic living conditions, and knowledge of the health and safety and ethical considerations associated with this.
• Effective collaboration and communication with in-country/territory partner organisations.
• Ability to effectively manage projects and meet deadlines.
• Able to travel to Henderson Island, South Pacific for all or most of June to Oct 2026 (4 months) as part of an expedition team.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Specialism in rodent ecology research, ideally wild rodents in an island setting, including measuring dietary preferences, live capture, marking and collection of individual-level data such as age and reproductive status and the analysis of these data to estimate demographic rates.
• Experience working for rodent, or other invasive non-native species, island eradication projects.
• Ability to manage field staff.
• Experience supporting the development of funding applications to external organisations.

This is a 2 year Fixed-Term Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week.

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from w/c 16th February 2026. For further information please contact [email protected].

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.