Our work involves collaborating with international experts to develop scientific guidance and advanced statistical approaches that promote actions to recover and conserve marine biodiversity within a sustainable blue economy. This includes considering climate change mitigation and adaptation needs and informing management decisions for biodiversity recovery and restoration, as well as implementing Nature-Based Solutions.
We are currently seeking a highly motivated Marine Ecosystems Scientist to support the UK Government in developing modelling tools, statistical methods, and indicators that enhance our understanding of the state of the marine environment and measuring the impacts of human pressures as well as the effects of climate change. This work will also inform the management and recovery of degraded marine ecosystems.
The successful candidate will contribute to an exciting and evolving area of work focused on operationalising benthic habitat indicators for a range of policy applications, and the development of evidence products to inform management and supporting mitigation and adaptation to climate change impacts. These include delivery of assessment products under the OSPAR Convention, methods for assessing the condition of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the UK Overseas Territories, and development of scientific guidance for the recovery of key priority benthic habitat internationally.
Post Duties
- Data analysis and method development for biodiversity indicators and targets to assess the status and trends of marine ecosystems and their associated ecosystem services, in line with government and funder priorities.
- Development and testing of models to analyse ecosystem functions and generate predictions to support comprehensive ecosystem assessments and evaluate trade-offs between management and environmental scenarios.
- Support the development of technical products for international initiatives, including contributions to regional action plans, and measuring the effects of climate change and ocean acidification in marine ecosystems.
- Engage with external organisations involved in marine environmental assessment to gather relevant information and collaborate on the development of evidence-based products.
- Maintain and promote common standards and best practice guidance for the assessment of marine habitats and ecosystems, both within the UK and internationally.
- Identify opportunities for external funding to support international research and development in marine ecosystem assessment.
- Support the team’s administrative tasks critical to effective running of projects.
- Support the wider work of the Team and JNCC as appropriate, including providing technical input into projects and delivery of technical work, as required.
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Good understanding of ecology, the pressures and impacts on biodiversity, and their implications for sustainable development.
- Knowledge of global and regional multi-lateral environmental instruments of relevance to the UK.
- Experience of successfully synthesising complex information and communicating concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Experience of working with domestic or international stakeholders and partners.
Location: Peterborough or Aberdeen, UK
Salary: £33,130
Application deadline: April 19, 2026
