Field Ecologist

**Field Ecologist (Botanist)**

We’re seeking Field Ecologists looking for a career contributing to environmental research with a focus on plant identification/ecology. You will have the opportunity to work within a vibrant interdisciplinary community of engaged researchers tackling some of the most urgent and exciting interlinked global environmental challenges. Sitting within our Land Use and sustainability team you will contribute to the delivery of natural capital projects for key public and private sector stakeholders and have exposure to our innovative response to the rapidly changing policy developments in environmental land management, tree health, food safety and biosecurity.

In addition to ecologists, the Land Use team comprises experts in soil science, remote sensing and GIS, agricultural surveys, social science/economics, and data analysis/modelling. Expertise in any of these additional areas would be advantageous. The team conducts research into new and sustainable ways to monitor and manage natural capital under land use change and emerging risks while minimising impact on health, environment, and businesses. The research is used to inform policy development by government and business decisions by environmentally concerned companies for sustainable land use management and across the food supply chain.

Fera Science Ltd researches from farm to fork to help to protect the food we eat and the world in which we live. Join Fera and play an important role in helping to protect our farming and natural environment. This protection is critical for biodiversity and for the future of our food supply. We're proud of our heritage stretching back over 100 years, we make a difference to everyone; delivering science for the public good and tackling all sorts of risks, including plant pests, diseases and chemicals that threaten our food security and natural environment. We're a caring and responsible company committed to making the world a better, healthier and safer place. Innovation is at the core of Fera's science.

**What you’ll be doing**:

- Undertake field ecological evaluation and research involving sampling and identification of plants/habitats
- Deliver complex field surveys as part of a large team maintaining the highest standards of data collection. Depending on your experience, you may be involved in managing large and complex field surveys delivered by a network of regionally-based surveyors
- Liaise with landowners/managers
- Contribute to the analysis and evaluation of research and interpretation of data, including working with inter-disciplinary teams to agree interpretations and derivations of key metrics
- Contribute to the development of methods and proposals in response to customer needs
- Contribute to the delivery of research projects in the Land Use & Sustainability team
- Contribute to publishing research findings

The above duties will differ depending on your areas of expertise.

**What we’re looking for**:

- Preferably, you will be a graduate or have equivalent experience with expertise in botanical identification and habitat surveying
- Expertise in complex survey delivery
- Experience of organising and managing survey teams
- A collaborator with the ability to work alone or as part of a team
- Excellent communication skills
- Flexibility to travel to meet survey requirements
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to follow complex protocols
- Experience in contributing to the design, development and implementation of quantitative/qualitative methodologies and mixed methods research
- A clear and concise approach to conducting analysis.
- Knowledge of, or an interest in, soil science would be advantageous

**Essential skills**:

- Demonstratable expertise in plant identification and UK habitat surveying (e.g. UKHab) (other groups in addition would be advantageous, e.g. invertebrates, pests and diseases)
- A good working knowledge and understanding of ecology which informs the ability to make judgements about the impact of management on habitats/features and the importance of habitat and its condition for other species
- An understanding of how interventions impact on farmers and farm management

**Additional skills - any of the following would be advantageous**:
Soil science:

- Experience in soil sampling using varied methodologies e.g. bulk density, degradation assessment.
- Knowledge on soil classification and assessment, e.g. VESS scoring system, Visual Soil Assessment.
- Remote sensing / GIS:

- Experience using analysis software such as ESRI ArcGIS.
- Experience of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle operations would also be a distinct advantage.
- Social Science/economics
- The ability to select and justify appropriate methods for the problem at hand.

**About Fera**

**Fera** are part of Capita Plc, a leading UK provider of technology enabled business services. We’re supporting and improving the lives of millions of people every day and we can only do this with the right