Deer Data and Research Officer

Job Title:

Deer Data and Research Officer | Grade: D |

Hours:

35 (full-time) | Vacancy type:
Fixed Term Appointment ending 14th July 2028 | Salary £41,567 |

Location:

Inverness, Hybrid Working considered | Closing date:
Midnight 02 July 2026 | Interview Date:
Week commencing 13th July 2026

The purpose of this post is to help develop data and research needs relating to Nature Scot's deer functions – developing systems and processes to support effective data gathering, storage and analysis. The post will contribute to delivering data strategy, evidence and research needs that supports Nature Scot’s corporate plan outcomes on deer and Scottish Biodiversity Strategy delivery.

The primary role will involve data management and quality assurance, analysing interpreting data sets and producing reports, project, and contract management, as well as developing data collection approaches with stakeholders in the sector.

The post covers the whole of Scotland and will require the ability to travel independently, as public transport is not always available and sites are remote. On occasion, this will require travel that necessitates nights away from home.

Nature Scot has a statutory responsibility to further the conservation, control, and sustainable management of all wild deer species in Scotland.

The sustainable management of Scotland’s deer is vital to enhance biodiversity and achieve a net zero future. The twin climate and biodiversity crises will see a much greater urgency to our efforts to ensure we realise our ambitious targets on vital issues such as forest regeneration, woodland creation, peatland restoration, and habitat improvement.

There is an increased focus on managing deer impacts to support biodiversity outcomes and delivering the transformational land use reform needed to deliver on climate, public safety issues, and impacts to agriculture. Delivering the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy objectives of halting loss by 2030 and delivering nature restoration at scale across Scotland by 2045 will require significant reductions in deer impacts and populations.

This will require working with a range of stakeholder interests to deliver transformational change, at pace.

The post holder will be a key contributor in a team of staff developing and delivering a project plan with clear milestones and timescales to help deliver a progressive legislative and policy framework for deer management which includes implementing Deer Working Group recommendations accepted by the Scottish Government.

• Co‑ordinate Nature Scot’s work on data collection, verification, storage, cleaning, and analysis; developing appropriate datasets and metrics to track delivery against outcomes, KPIs and reporting mechanisms.
• Establish common data standards, including developing spatial data approaches and guidance across policy development and operational delivery.
• Contribute to developing partnership approaches to identify and address research needs.
• Support the communications team to promote the benefits of effective deer management in delivery of the work programme.

• Self‑manage your workload in an environment where volumes of reactive work can be high at times and variable.
• Commission/manage contracts where required.
• Support the data and research team leader in the supporting operational delivery staff to collect the raw data needed to evidence delivery of outcomes.

• Provide high quality project management in a multi‑faceted, complex, and accelerating Programme of Work which delivers on the Deer Working Group Recommendations and Nature Scot’s corporate plan priority on deer.
• Contribute to the development and delivering of a data strategy, including project delivery, quality assurance of data, evidence gathering, and analysis.
• Build relationships and work closely with Scottish Government and public agencies; collaborate with stakeholder interests.
• Reach out and coordinate with other teams within Nature Scot activities and other public agencies to ensure the team and projects get the required input and support.