PeacePlus Nature – Senior Conservation Scientist for Species

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Scientist to join RSPB Northern Ireland and the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science to deliver specific projects and work across the PeacePlus Nature programme. 

PeacePlus Nature is an ambitious €20.8 million programme that brings together nine partners to tackle the decline in priority species and habitats in Northern Ireland, and the border counties of Ireland. The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, which is a cross-border funding Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.

PeacePlus Nature will work to restore blanket bog, lowland wet grassland and limestone grassland and priority species from breeding waders to Marsh Fritillary Butterfly. 

What’s the role about? 

This role will:

• Manage a small team of peatland scientists who will provide evidence of the impact of peatland restoration.
• Manage a small team of wader surveyors who will carry out national citizen science and repeat breeding wader surveys in Northern Ireland.
• Share species and habitats science expertise across partners and projects planned for the PeacePlus Nature programme.
• Be embedded into the RSPB Northern Ireland team, will be managed by RSPBs Principal Scientist for Northern Ireland and will be part of the RSPBs Centre for Conservation Science to participate in wider RSPB science events when appropriate.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

• A PhD in a relevant ecological subject with a strong species and or habitats conservation focus, or equivalent experience doing relevant research.
• Experience of running research projects from start to finish and of managing other scientists and or field staff.
• Methodical and rigorous approach to experimental design, data collection and analysis to peer-reviewed standards of scrutiny and audit.
• Strong R and GIS skills, ability to use and apply ecologically relevant statistics, to enable innovative, robust analysis and interpretation of data.
• Methods for scientifically assessing the impact of peatland restoration and a demonstrable understanding of national species survey methodology.
• Identification of priority species and habitats, and their ecological needs, preferably for waders and within peatland ecosystems.
• Skilled collaborative, adaptable worker and communicator, with experience working with a range of stakeholders.
• Self-motivated and able to work efficiently under pressure to meet deadlines, the ability to plan and organise your own work.
• Full driving licence valid for use in the UK.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Health and safety, licencing and access procedures necessary for carrying out research projects.
• Collecting, curating and analysing large complex data sets, ideally citizen science or biodiversity monitoring data.
• Managing and reporting budgets and processes required ideally by externally funded projects.

This is a Fixed-Term Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week until 31st July 2029.  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 19th November 2025. For further information please contact [email protected] 

As part of this application process you will be asked to 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.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes.