Senior Hydroecologist

Create places and spaces that matter.

Do you have the drive, skills and career potential to work with us as an experienced hydro ecologist, influencing environmental outcomes for freshwater systems at the project level and beyond? We are seeking to expand our team of aquatic ecologists within Atkins Réalis' Water Management Consultancy. If you want to join an established team focusing on delivering significant projects amid a culture of wellbeing, innovation and inclusivity, this is the place for you.

Our Water Management Consultancy operates at the interface between people and the water environment. We provide services across aquatic ecology, hydro morphology, river restoration, flood and coastal erosion risk management, integrated catchment management, regulation and assurance, strategic asset management, water resources and water quality planning, hydrogeology and hydrology, climate futures and resilience, coastal and marine environmental management, natural capital assessment and economic appraisal.

As a hydro ecologist you will deliver river and wetland hydro-ecological investigations, support restoration and enhancement of aquatic systems, and contribute tangible improvements across UK and overseas catchments. You will collaborate with water resource specialists and engineering design colleagues to advance your career.

• Support water resource investigations by delivering hydro-ecological assessments.
• Apply habitat and biological response models to hydro‑ecological investigations for key clients.
• Support the development and application of emerging approaches to hydro‑ecological modelling and train colleagues.
• Produce technical reports and provide consultations for diverse projects, coordinating inputs from team members.
• Support a range of environmental assessments—preliminary ecological appraisals, impact assessments, Water Framework Directive compliance reporting and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments—on national infrastructure projects in collaboration with multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Provide support to the national aquatic ecology team and wider business as our hydro‑ecological assessment capability grows.
• Assist the team in winning work from internal and external clients.

• Experience with hydro‑ecological and environmental assessments of freshwater habitats and species, with knowledge of programme, resource and financial management.
• Degree in a relevant discipline; post‑graduate qualification desirable, especially with a focus on hydro‑ecology or water‑catchment management. Consultancy experience is essential. Chartership with a relevant professional body is typically required.
• Willingness to work towards chartership if not already chartered, with support from chartered colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver thorough technical investigations and produce well‑structured, concise, evidence‑based findings.
• Highly numerate, literate and familiar with appropriate IT and software for modelling tasks.
• Experience on large infrastructure projects as part of multi‑disciplinary teams and managing river, wetland habitat, aquatic ecological surveys;
  MoRPh accreditation desirable.
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic, proactive, focused on technical excellence.
• Strong collaborative skills, good interpersonal communication and the ability to generate innovative solutions.
• Flexible, adaptable and prepared to take on new challenges.

Enjoy competitive salaries, flexible holiday allowances, hybrid working options, extensive training and professional development opportunities, and a range of benefits tailored to health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices.

We are a world‑class engineering services and nuclear organization that connects people, data and technology to transform infrastructure and energy systems. With global consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we aim to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

This role may require security clearance. Offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require proof of UK residency for 5 years or longer. No references to current or past security clearance should be included in applications or CVs.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels they belong. We offer family‑friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and abilities.