Lead Agricultural Soil Scientist Rail

Are you a soil specialist looking to work on one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure programmes?

Do you have experience in agricultural soils, land classification, or soil resource management within major infrastructure or environmental projects?

Salary: £73,946.40 to £92,736 (DOE)
Location: London or Birmingham, 3 days in office per week Employment type: Fixed term contract up to 12 months (finishing July 2027)

This is an opportunity to join the largest infrastructure project in Europe as the Lead Agricultural Soils Specialist, acting as the organisation’s technical lead for agricultural soils across the programme. Working within the Natural Environment team, you will provide technical leadership, assurance, and guidance to delivery teams and contractors involved in the excavation, handling, storage, and reinstatement of agricultural soils.

This is a unique role suited to someone with a strong understanding of agricultural soils and land restoration who enjoys solving complex technical challenges while working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.

• Experience with in agricultural soils, soil science, land restoration, or environmental management
• Understanding of Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) and soil survey methodologies
• Experience supporting major infrastructure, environmental, or construction projects
• Ability to interpret soil data and provide practical technical recommendations
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Membership of an appropriate professional body such as the British Society of Soil Science
  , or working towards chartership
• Understanding of UK construction and environmental regulations

• Experience developing or reviewing Soil Resource Plans
• GIS or spatial data presentation experience
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) knowledge
• Experience working with contractors on site assurance or compliance activities
• Understanding of ecology, drainage, landscape, or agricultural land reinstatement

This role offers the opportunity to work on one of the largest soil datasets and land restoration programmes in the UK. You’ll be involved in technically complex projects with exposure to innovative research and large-scale environmental delivery, while working alongside highly experienced specialists across the infrastructure sector.