Principal Marine Ornithologist, SLR Consulting

Description

SLR Consulting is hiring a Principal Marine Ornithologist for its UK marine ornithology team, working hybrid from any UK office or homeworking with regular visits to the Glasgow office.

SLR is a global sustainability consultancy with more than 4,000 staff across six regions and operations in over 125 countries. The marine ornithology team has delivered nine PhDs, more than 40 research and guidance commissions, and numerous offshore wind projects over the past 15 years, blending academic depth with applied work alongside developers and stakeholders.

The Principal Marine Ornithologist sits inside the marine ornithology team and leads the technical delivery of habitat compensation and monitoring plans for marine renewable energy projects, alongside ornithological assessments and strategic guidance for clients and statutory advisors.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver compensation plans for offshore wind farm projects.
• Prepare and review Ornithological Assessments, Habitats Regulations Assessments, and technical reports.
• Manage, coordinate, and deliver offshore ornithology projects from inception through final report.
• Prepare and coordinate tender submissions for new commissions.
• Analyse offshore wind farm impacts on protected seabird populations.
• Advise clients in writing and verbally, including in meetings with key stakeholders.
• Conduct ornithological field work as required by project demands.
• Contribute to strategic ornithology projects led by the marine ornithology team.

Requirements

• Strong experience and understanding of the environmental planning system in relation to ornithological impact assessments.
• Demonstrable experience and understanding of the European Birds and Habitats Directives, including assessment methods for European Designated sites.
• Knowledge of the ecology of European seabirds.
• ESAS and seabird colony count survey experience.
• Flexible and proactive approach to work.
• Comprehensive experience of project management and managing a diverse workload.
• Ability to produce and review high quality reports and deliver them to clients on time and on budget.
• Good working relationships with regulators and statutory advisors.
• Higher degree in ecology or a related subject, or an equivalent level of demonstrable experience.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using key tools for impact assessment of offshore wind farms on seabird populations: collision risk modelling, spatial modelling, apportioning, displacement analysis, and population viability analysis.
• Field survey experience.
• Experience checking and analysing digital aerial survey data.

Additional Notes

• Hybrid arrangement: UK-based from any SLR office or homeworking, with regular visits to the Glasgow office.
• Permanent, full-time employment.
• Benefits: company pension, healthcare, travel and life insurance, 25 days annual leave plus flexible bank holidays, and a structured career progression framework.
• SLR is a Disability Confident Committed employer; applicants with a disability who meet the essential requirements are guaranteed an interview. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.
• SLR welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous peoples, ethnic minority groups, women, and people with visible or invisible disabilities, including those who are neurodivergent.

How to Apply

Apply through the SLR Consulting posting on LinkedIn. Submissions are managed by the employer through LinkedIn.

Required application materials:

• CV detailing relevant ornithological assessment, project management, and seabird ecology experience.
• Cover letter outlining fit with the marine ornithology team and interest in offshore wind compensation work.