Ecosystem Ecologist

Salary - £61,399 - £76,343

Bangor (Gwynedd), North Wales

Hybrid working (50 / 50)

Permanent

Closing date for applications, Monday 19 January 2026. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.

We’re offering a rare and exciting opportunity to join UKCEH as an Ecosystem Ecologist / Principal Environmental Scientist (equivalent to Professor level) within our Land, Soil and Coast Group. This is a senior leadership role for an individual who brings scientific expertise across multiple disciplines and scales alongside the ambition to shape research agendas, influence policy, drive innovation and determine funding priorities across the environmental science landscape.

As a recognised transdisciplinary science leader, you will understand and contribute to addressing critical environmental challenges such as sustainable land management, net zero ambitions, biodiversity net gain, food security, restoration of soil health, air and water quality, health and well-being.

Reporting to the Head of the Land, Soil and Coast Group, you will serve as Principal Investigator for the (ERAMMP) - a flagship, long-term initiative delivered on behalf of the Welsh Government. You will steer this programme of integrated, modelling and provision of evidence and advice to support policy development and action. The programme is led by UKCEH through a collaborative consortium of more than 20 partners and 50 researchers spanning our UKCEH sites.

• Provide scientific and strategic oversight of ERAMMP and related initiatives.
• Shape future research agendas by building and sustaining partnerships across government, academia, and industry.
• Produce robust, high-impact scientific outputs including policy briefings, reports, publications, and data products.
• Mentor and manage staff and students, fostering an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing research culture.
• Translate complex, multidisciplinary evidence into clear insights and recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
• Lead, develop and deliver high-quality funding proposals that expand UKCEH’s research portfolio nationally or internationally.
• Represent UKCEH within national and international networks, acting as a respected scientific voice and advisor.
• Build trusted relationships across diverse partner organisations and funders.

Beyond ERAMMP, your work will contribute to the (LUNZ) and for Defra. This breadth offers an exceptional platform to broaden your expertise and shape meaningful, real-world environmental outcomes.

This role offers exceptional visibility and influence with the opportunity to make meaningful, lasting impact. You’ll develop and champion the strategic benefits of integrated research with policy making, positioning yourself as a trusted voice and influential leader within the environmental science community. You’ll also take a leading role in strengthening and expanding partnerships in Wales, the UK and EU.

• A PhD in environmental science or equivalent experience, providing a strong foundation in ecological, environmental or land-based research.
• A robust academic or research background, gained within academia or a research institute, demonstrating depth of expertise and a commitment to scientific excellence.
• A broad and integrative understanding of ecology, soils and land-use science, with the ability to generate, interpret and deliver high-quality scientific outputs that influence both practice and policy.
• Experience working with, influencing and supporting funders, policy leads and key stakeholders, enabling you to navigate complex partnerships with confidence and credibility.
• Recognised leadership of multi-disciplinary research teams, showing your ability to bring diverse expertise together to solve complex environmental challenges.
• An inspiring, collaborative and inclusive approach, motivating those around you and fostering a positive, high-performing research culture.
• A strong track record of securing research funding, demonstrating strategic thinking, innovation and the ability to…