The post will provide a specialist role in delivering high priority work associated with the delivery of offshore wind projects and other marine industries projects in Scottish waters. It will also lead or provide input on NatureScot work on research, policy and guidance in respect of marine mammals and their interactions with industries and support the delivery of UK and Scottish Government and Industry led projects.
The post will also have specific responsibilities to lead and oversee NatureScot’s work on marine renewables research and monitoring through initiatives such as ScotMER and ORJIP. The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of guidance and advice – both internal and external – to help developers and their consultants through all stages of development from pre-application to decommissioning. There will also be requirement to represent NatureScot on Scottish and UK groups, reviewing the increasing demands on marine space to inform NatureScot’s advice on marine spatial planning policies relating to marine industries and the protection of marine mammals. The post holder will also contribute to evolving work to identify and prioritize specific site-based and wider seas conservation measures for marine mammals focusing on those that provide the most benefit in terms of biodiversity gain and facilitating climate change adaptation and resilience.
The post holder will also be required to contribute to the wider work of the marine energy team and both the Sustainable Coasts and Seas and Marine Ecosystem Activities, including the potential to work as a Duty Officer on a rota for responding to marine pollution incidents.
This work is high profile and fast-paced, and we are seeking an experienced and resilient individual with the confidence to manage and multitask across casework demands, contribute to strategic work and deliver high quality outputs.
The post holder will be an appropriately qualified and experienced specialist with a good understanding of Scotland’s marine environment, policy and legislation relating to its sustainable use and management. The post holder should have up-to-date knowledge and understanding or marine mammal populations (both for seals and cetaceans), conservation issues, and impacts and mitigation options related to human activities.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
- Provide constructive, solution-focused advice and support for NatureScot marine industries casework advice. This will include proposals arising from marine energy, ports and harbors, pipelines and cabling infrastructure fisheries, oil and gas, and aquaculture developments. This requires an understanding of marine ecology and the likely interactions and effects on marine mammals and their prey from infrastructure or activities in the marine environment.
- Use of statistical packages and modeling including R and spatial modeling for marine mammals. In particular, the role will be required to advise on the use of tools and techniques associated with population modeling such as (iPCoD, DePONs, CRM and PBR) used in Environmental Impact Assessment, nature conservation Marine Protected Area and Habitats Regulations Appraisal processes.
- Understanding of underwater noise propagation, modeling and monitoring across all marine industries.
- Represent NatureScot on research project steering groups and external working groups relating to marine mammal ecology and development and refinement of tools.
- Contribute to thinking and advice on marine ecosystems, including marine mammals and their prey species and opportunities for biodiversity net gain associated with development as well as compensation measures and or their equivalent in respect of both Habitats Regulation Appraisal and nature conservation MPA derogation processes.
- Opportunity to act as a Duty Officer for marine pollution incidents, participating in the cover provided by NatureScot through an agreed rota system. (This can require work outside of normal working hours – weekends and evenings).
- Contribution to wider communication around awareness of NatureScot and our marine mammal work through social media, press releases and the NatureScot website.
Skills:
- A degree in a relevant subject plus relevant post-graduate experience or work experience
- A sound understanding of the marine ecology, habitats and species of Scotland
- A clear understanding of nature conservation and planning legislation including Marine Scotland (2010) Act, EIA, EPS and HRA relevant to Scotland’s seas and marine species
- Knowledge and experience of coastal and marine industries, relevant to Scotland, including offshore wind and ports / harbors and the potential interactions of these activities with marine mammals
- Understanding of techniques & methods applicable to monitoring marine mobile species
- Ability to analyze, interpret and manage scientific information to provide informed, clear and solution focused advice.
- Good interpersonal skills including excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and excellent team working skills
- Experience of developing and maintaining positive working relationships with stakeholders, such as agencies, organizations, developers or government
- Knowledge of NatureScot’s priorities and processes and an awareness of the political environment in which NatureScot operates
- Ability to plan and manage workloads, work to deadlines and adapt to changing priorities while balancing a high volume of reactive work
Prerequisites
- Proof of right to work in UK
- To undertake a Disclosure Scotland application
- Although Gaelic language is not a prerequisite it is a desirable skill in support of our commitment to our Gaelic Language Plan
Salary: £38,616
Application deadline: December 3, 2025
