Job Description
Pay
£31,942 - £33,898 a year
Job type
Full-time
Location
Edinburgh•Hybrid work
Benefits
Pulled from the full job description
Annual leave
Company pension
Enhanced maternity leave
Enhanced paternity leave
Full job description
Salary - £31,942 - £33,898 Depending on experience
Hybrid working (50/50)
Location: Edinburgh
Closing date: 16th January 2026
We are looking for an enthusiastic Aviation Ecologist to join our team in Edinburgh. Your role will help make a significant contribution to the long-term study of seabird populations on the Isle of May (
IMLOTS
).
The Isle of May study is is one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind, which and involves intensive monitoring of many aspects of the ecology of six species of seabird. You will also have the chance to be involved in a range of other projects on seabird ecology. We will train you in seabird data collection and laboratory skills in seabird diet, including identification of fish species and age classes.
You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that it's committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH.
Your main responsibilities will include:
Collect data on seabirds of sufficient quality to contribute to CEH’s long-term monitoring programme
Operate and deploy animal-borne data loggers
Quantify seabird diet including fish identification from field and laboratory analyses
Operate and deploy animal-borne data loggers
Archive biological samples and data
Ensure good management of relational databases on seabird survival, breeding success, diet, foraging behaviour, winter migration and physiology
Interrogate databases and analyse deliver outputs to address a range of scientific questions
Analyse data on foraging behaviour and distribution obtained from animal-borne data loggers
Produce tables, figures, maps and text suitable for reports, technical documents and peer reviewed publications, taking a lead role where appropriate
Explore and implement new methods and tools and facilities for the collection, processing, interpretation and dissemination of data
Communicate science to peers and other stakeholders using appropriate techniques (e.g. posters, oral presentations, blogs, reports, refereed publications, workshops, popular science articles)
For the role of Aviation Ecologist, we are looking for somebody who has the following:
B.Sc or equivalent in a biological subject
Experience of undertaking fieldwork on seabirds or other vertebrates in small teams
Proven ability to conduct fieldwork in a remote environment in small teams for extended periods
Good organisational skills, self motivated and capable of working without significant supervision, including a proven ability to deliver to tight deadlines
Scientifically numerateacy and with good mathematical skills
Excellent working knowledge of Office software including attention to detail when handling large data sets (Excel, Access)
Strong communication skills in a variety of media (written and spoken)
Driving Licence (gear shift)
Additional Knowledge/Experience:
Demonstrate a commitment to your own professional development with clear views on how you might develop your career, including writing and presenting skills.
Demonstrate that you understand the wider context of your science and its potential impacts at the national level.
Able to discuss issues with UKCEH staff at all levels.
Able to identify key stakeholders/funders for your science and demonstrate an understanding of their needs to start developing key partnerships
Desirable skills:
Ability to handle and ring seabirds, including BTO ringing permit
Ability to operate and deploy miniaturised data loggers on seabirds
Advanced laboratory skills in seabird diet, including identification of fish species and age classes
Ability to process and analyse GPS and other logger data sets
Ability to use R
Working at UKCEH is rewarding. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.
As a valued member of our team, you’ll get:
27 days annual leave, rising to 29 days after five years, plus 3 days for our Christmas closure
10% employer pension contribution
Enhanced maternity and paternity leave (subject to qualifying requirements)
24/7 access to support for physical, mental, social, health, or financial wellbeing, plus trained Welfare Officers
Flexible working opportunities
And much more…
You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute committed to recruiting talented people like you, supporting your career progression, and a vibrant seabird research team of 10 committed individuals, giving you the environment and resources you need to thrive at UKCEH.
Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.
If we’ve just described you, we’d love to meet. Apply now.
About Us
Here you can explore the kind of roles we recruit for, search our latest vacancies, learn more about what it's like to work at UKCEH, and find out about the many benefits of joining our team.
Every one of our 600+ staff and 50+ postgraduate students plays a vital role in delivering our ambition to understand the environment and the human impact on it, so that together people and nature can prosper.
How we work is just as important as what we achieve. We want UKCEH to be a welcoming, inclusive, engaging and collaborative place to work. We embed our values - excellence, integrity and teamwork - into everything we do.
£31,942 - £33,898 a year
Job type
Full-time
Location
Edinburgh•Hybrid work
Benefits
Pulled from the full job description
Annual leave
Company pension
Enhanced maternity leave
Enhanced paternity leave
Full job description
Salary - £31,942 - £33,898 Depending on experience
Hybrid working (50/50)
Location: Edinburgh
Closing date: 16th January 2026
We are looking for an enthusiastic Aviation Ecologist to join our team in Edinburgh. Your role will help make a significant contribution to the long-term study of seabird populations on the Isle of May (
IMLOTS
).
The Isle of May study is is one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind, which and involves intensive monitoring of many aspects of the ecology of six species of seabird. You will also have the chance to be involved in a range of other projects on seabird ecology. We will train you in seabird data collection and laboratory skills in seabird diet, including identification of fish species and age classes.
You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that it's committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH.
Your main responsibilities will include:
Collect data on seabirds of sufficient quality to contribute to CEH’s long-term monitoring programme
Operate and deploy animal-borne data loggers
Quantify seabird diet including fish identification from field and laboratory analyses
Operate and deploy animal-borne data loggers
Archive biological samples and data
Ensure good management of relational databases on seabird survival, breeding success, diet, foraging behaviour, winter migration and physiology
Interrogate databases and analyse deliver outputs to address a range of scientific questions
Analyse data on foraging behaviour and distribution obtained from animal-borne data loggers
Produce tables, figures, maps and text suitable for reports, technical documents and peer reviewed publications, taking a lead role where appropriate
Explore and implement new methods and tools and facilities for the collection, processing, interpretation and dissemination of data
Communicate science to peers and other stakeholders using appropriate techniques (e.g. posters, oral presentations, blogs, reports, refereed publications, workshops, popular science articles)
For the role of Aviation Ecologist, we are looking for somebody who has the following:
B.Sc or equivalent in a biological subject
Experience of undertaking fieldwork on seabirds or other vertebrates in small teams
Proven ability to conduct fieldwork in a remote environment in small teams for extended periods
Good organisational skills, self motivated and capable of working without significant supervision, including a proven ability to deliver to tight deadlines
Scientifically numerateacy and with good mathematical skills
Excellent working knowledge of Office software including attention to detail when handling large data sets (Excel, Access)
Strong communication skills in a variety of media (written and spoken)
Driving Licence (gear shift)
Additional Knowledge/Experience:
Demonstrate a commitment to your own professional development with clear views on how you might develop your career, including writing and presenting skills.
Demonstrate that you understand the wider context of your science and its potential impacts at the national level.
Able to discuss issues with UKCEH staff at all levels.
Able to identify key stakeholders/funders for your science and demonstrate an understanding of their needs to start developing key partnerships
Desirable skills:
Ability to handle and ring seabirds, including BTO ringing permit
Ability to operate and deploy miniaturised data loggers on seabirds
Advanced laboratory skills in seabird diet, including identification of fish species and age classes
Ability to process and analyse GPS and other logger data sets
Ability to use R
Working at UKCEH is rewarding. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.
As a valued member of our team, you’ll get:
27 days annual leave, rising to 29 days after five years, plus 3 days for our Christmas closure
10% employer pension contribution
Enhanced maternity and paternity leave (subject to qualifying requirements)
24/7 access to support for physical, mental, social, health, or financial wellbeing, plus trained Welfare Officers
Flexible working opportunities
And much more…
You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute committed to recruiting talented people like you, supporting your career progression, and a vibrant seabird research team of 10 committed individuals, giving you the environment and resources you need to thrive at UKCEH.
Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.
If we’ve just described you, we’d love to meet. Apply now.
About Us
Here you can explore the kind of roles we recruit for, search our latest vacancies, learn more about what it's like to work at UKCEH, and find out about the many benefits of joining our team.
Every one of our 600+ staff and 50+ postgraduate students plays a vital role in delivering our ambition to understand the environment and the human impact on it, so that together people and nature can prosper.
How we work is just as important as what we achieve. We want UKCEH to be a welcoming, inclusive, engaging and collaborative place to work. We embed our values - excellence, integrity and teamwork - into everything we do.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Avian Ecologist position is now open for candidates interested in the Health Jobs sector. This role in Edinburgh offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Health Jobs is a plus.
