Assistant Aquatic Ecological Consultant

• Full-time

Join us in shaping a future where nature and business thrive together

At Thomson, our purpose is simple but powerful:
to enable nature and business to thrive together
.

We’re building a reputation as the UK’s most
innovative, pragmatic and fast-growing environmental consultancy
. Our ambition is to be the
first choice for clients
and the
employer of choice for environmental professionals
.

With offices across the UK, our multidisciplinary experts deliver exceptional outcomes across terrestrial and freshwater ecology, hydrology, marine science, GIS, habitat management, arboriculture and environmental impact assessment.

We’re looking for an Assistant Freshwater Aquatic Ecologist to join our small but growing Aquatic Ecology team. This is a fantastic opportunity for an aspiring Aquatic Ecologist to develop professional skills in survey work, data analysis, reporting and assessments.

Surveys will include but won’t be limited to; macroinvertebrates, fish, habitat and water quality surveys of rivers and lakes. Working in a small, agile team, your role will be varied, with regular opportunities for learning and development as an ecological consultant.

The role can be based anywhere across England and Wales.

Your key responsibilities will be to

• Organise and coordinate surveys, desk surveys and ecological assessments
• Liaise with clients and landowners
• Assist in business development by contributing to the development of tenders & quotes, and supporting revenue growth.

Qualifications:

Successful candidates will have:

• A degree or postgraduate degree (or equivalent) in Aquatic Ecology, Hydro-Ecology or related subject.
• A valid driving licence and vehicle, insured for business use.
• The ability and willingness to travel and stay away at survey sites in various locations in the UK.
• Self-motivation with the ability to learn quickly.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Ideally candidates will also have:

• Graduate membership of CIEEM.
• Relevant training including, for example, with the Riverfly Partnership, Field Studies Council, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.
• Experience in using freshwater survey methods either through working or volunteering in a consultancy or regulator setting.
• Hydrology knowledge or experience, including flow gauging.

At Thomson, we strive to be the very best at what we do—for our clients and for each other.

We believe in
One Thomson
: valuing every individual’s unique skills and experiences, and working together to deliver exceptional service.

Our people are our greatest asset. We are proud of our
friendly, supportive and can-do culture
, where nothing is too much trouble. We live and breathe our
RISE values
- Respect, Integrity, Support and Excellence
-and we are constantly evolving, with your voice helping shape our future.

We actively promote a
healthy work-life balance
, offering flexibility and a supportive environment where people can thrive. We embrace new challenges, work collaboratively, and celebrate success together.

We are passionate about
career development
. You’ll have access to:

• Industry-accredited external training
• Specialist-led internal training
• Opportunities to work across disciplines
• The chance to contribute to and lead
  high-profile, once-in-a-lifetime projects

We also offer a competitive benefits package, including:

• 25 days annual leave
• Enhanced stakeholder pension scheme
• Life insurance
• Discounted gym membership
• Paid professional memberships
• Clothing allowance
• Performance-related rewards and long service awards
• Free parking
• Regular social and company events

We are also committed to giving back, with strong involvement in
charity fundraising and local community initiatives
.

As an equal opportunities employer, Thomson is committed to the fair and equal treatment of all current and prospective employees. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind.

We are building a
diverse and inclusive workplace
and strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We believe diversity strengthens our team and enhances the work we do.

If you’re a skilled and motivated professional looking for a role where you can lead, influence and deliver meaningful environmental impact, we’d love to hear from you.