Senior Ecologist/Principal Ecologist

Senior Ecologist/Principal Ecologist

Edinburgh, Scotland

Are you driven by a passion for the environment and a desire to make a lasting impact? Do you enjoy working on a variety of projects that contribute to sustainable development, particularly in the energy sector? Are you motivated by joining a global company with a reputation for excellence and innovation? If this sounds like you, or you’re curious to learn more, then this role could be the perfect opportunity. Join our Environment and Health division as our new Senior/Principal Ecologist and work with us to close the gap to a sustainable future.

Your new role

As our new Senior or Principal Ecologist, you will be part of our Biodiversity and Ecosystems Global Service Line within the Environment and Health division. You will work on projects ranging from renewable energy generation and transmission, transport infrastructure to commercial and residential development. will join a dynamic and expanding team delivering key projects and further developing a variety of skills within the environmental consultancy sector. Joining Ramboll offers you the opportunity to contribute positively to the business and build a successful career in an open, collaborative, and empowering culture.

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Managing small to medium scale projects with input on large scale projects such as wind farm or transmission line projects with the support of the ecology team leads and delivering projects on time and to budget 
• Main point of contact with Ramboll project managers, clients, partner organisations, and sub-consultants
• Planning and undertaking ecological surveys or clerk of work programmes including habitat (UKHab and NVC) and protected species surveys
• Producing high-quality technical reports on complex projects, including undertaking ecological mitigation design and delivery
• Reviewing reports including EIA chapters, HRA, precautionary methods of work, and species licence application
• Liaising with ecological regulators and planning authorities
• Fee proposal preparation and assisting with client relationship management
• Effective resource planning, management, and mentoring of an ecology team within a multi-disciplinary consultancy environment

About you

• Have an ecological academic qualification such as a BSc degree and experienced in fieldwork and application of survey techniques in accordance with best practice guidance
• Proficient user of MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook (and ideally ArcGIS) and familiar with digital data capture techniques in ecology fieldwork
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken English to a range of audiences and capable of producing clear and concise written documents for a range of purposes
• Ideally, but not necessarily, hold one or more protected species survey licences and have experience of holding or implementing development licences
• Good knowledge of relevant environmental/ecology legislation and an understanding of the planning systems in the UK and Scotland in relation to development, and the integration of ecology
• Full clean driving licence, willingness to occasionally undertake surveys outside of typical work hours and flexibility to allow occasional working away from home

What we can offer you

• Commitment to your development
• Leaders guided by our Leadership Principles
• A culture that welcomes you as the unique person you are
• Inspiration from colleagues, clients, and projects
• The long-term thinking of a foundation-owned company
• Flexible work environment
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Matched pension contributions
• Private medical cover and life assurance
• Opportunities to contribute to pro bono environmental work through our Making a Difference initiative

Ready to join us?

Please submit your application with your up-to-date CV. We invite diversity in all its forms and encourage applicants from all groups to apply.

Deadline: 30/06/2025

Thank you for taking the time to apply! We look forward to receiving your application.

Do you have any questions?

Contact Talent Acquisition Advisor, Talia Burrell at [email protected]

Work at the heart of sustainable change with Ramboll in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Ramboll is a global architecture, engineering, and consultancy company. As a foundation-owned people company, founded in Denmark, we believe that the purpose of sustainable change is to create a thriving world for both nature and people. So, that’s where we start – and how we work. Our history is rooted in a clear vision of how a responsible company should act and being open and curious is a cornerstone of our culture. Ramboll in the United Kingdom and Ireland has a proven track record of sustainable and responsible business and is a top ten engineering and environmental consultancy in the UK, with more than 1,500 employees across 17 offices. Ramboll experts deliver innovative solutions across Buildings, Transport, Environment & Health, and Energy. Ramboll launched the Americas Biodiversity Metric and Global Biodiversity Metrics in 2024.  In 2024, Ramboll was included in the Sunday Times’ list of Best Places to Work. 

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of what we do. At Ramboll, we believe that diversity is a strength, and that different experiences and perspectives are essential to creating truly sustainable societies. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive work environment where everyone can flourish and reach their full potential. We also know how important it is to achieve the right balance of where, when, and how much you work. As a company, Ramboll recognises the importance of having a good work/life balance, both in terms of individual well-being and its positive impact with respect to the engagement and retention of our employees. We aim to support all employees to achieve a work/life balance which enables them to work in a supported manner while having the time to achieve personal aspects of their life outside of work. We invite applications from candidates of all backgrounds and characteristics. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, Ramboll ensures opportunities are accessible to candidates with disabilities. Please let us know if there are any changes, we could make to the application process to make it more comfortable for you. You can contact us at [email protected] with such requests.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.