Marine Sustainability Adviser - Benthic - D Grade

Marine Sustainability Adviser - Benthic - D Grade - February 2026

Scotland, United Kingdom

Job title:  Marine Sustainability Adviser - Benthic | Grade: D |

Hours:

35 (full-time) | Vacancy type: fixed term for 3 years until 31 March 2029|

Location:

Nature Scot offices, home or hybrid | Closing date:

Midnight 9 March 2026| Internal Interview Date: 25 March 2026 | External Interview Date 1 & 2 April 2026

This is a full-timerole within Nature Scot’s Marine Energy programme, based in our Sustainable Coasts and Seas Activity. Working closely with other Nature Scot staff, the post holder will provide specialist advice in respect of benthic ecology to our Marine Energy team and other Nature Scot staff on benthic impacts from marine energy activities, particularly offshore wind. The successful post holder will engage with Nature Scot case leads as well as industries, Crown Estate Scotland, Local Authorities, Port Authorities and relevant Directorates in Scottish Government.

Advice will be required for all phases of development activity including Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) and Marine Protected Area (MPA) Assessments, as well as consideration of the national status of Priority Marine Features (PMFs).

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 Nature Scot work on research, policy and guidance in respect of benthic features and their interactions with industries and support the delivery of projects led by UK and Scottish Governments and Industry.

The post will also have specific responsibilities to lead and oversee Nature Scot’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 Nature Scot on Scottish and UK groups, reviewing the increasing demands on marine space to inform Nature Scot’s advice on marine spatial planning policies relating to marine industries and the protection of benthic interests. The post holder will also contribute to evolving work to identify and prioritise specific site-based and wider seas conservation opportunities 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 of marine ecosystems and in particular benthic features, conservation issues, and impacts and mitigation options related to human activities.

• Provide constructive, solution-focused advice and support for Nature Scot marine industries casework advice. This will include proposals arising from marine energy, pipelines and cabling infrastructure, oil and gas, and any associated infrastructure related to marine energy projects. This requires an understanding of marine ecology and the likely interactions and effects on benthic features and their supporting habitats from infrastructure or activities in the marine environment.
• Understanding of underwater noise propagation and…