25th September 2022

How to Apply?

To apply for any of the roles described below please submit your CV and covering letter to recruitment@ocean-ecology.com. Closing date for applications: OPEN.

Positions

We are looking to fill multiple positions across all departments and office locations to support our continued growth within all sectors of the blue economy. All positions are offered on a full-time basis although part time working will also be considered. We will consider candidates with differing skill levels ranging from recent graduates to those with considerable experience who are keen to take ownership and develop existing and new areas of the business. We’re looking for:

• Marine Benthic Taxonomists
• Marine Consultants
• GIS Specialists
• Marine Environmental Field Scientists
• Hydrographic Surveyor (Ecospan)

Speculative Applications

Are you a recent graduate keen to gain experience working in a laboratory, office or offshore setting? Or are you an experienced specialist seeking a new opportunity to establish and grow your own department? We’re always open to receiving speculative applications from anyone who feels they can make a difference at Ocean Ecology. So, if you’re interested in discussing potential roles but feel like you do not fit the positions set out below then please submit your CV and cover letter to recruitment@ocean-ecology.com.

Closing date for speculative applications: Open call.

Marine Benthic Taxonomists (All Levels)

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to be involved in a full range of sample processing and wider laboratory activities including elutriation, sorting, identification, enumeration and biomassing of benthic species from intertidal, coastal and deep-water environments. The roles may also provide opportunity to assist with both coastal and offshore field work on occasion. Ideally applicants should have:

• A clear and demonstrable passion for marine taxonomy;
• Experience in identification of macrobenthic and epibenthic species found in the NE Atlantic;
• A conscientious and enthusiastic attitude;
• An appreciation of the need to work to tight timeframes within a commercial laboratory setting;
• Professional or post-graduate experience in the field of marine taxonomy; and
• A BSc degree in marine biology (or similar marine related discipline).

Other desirable skills/experience include:

• Experience in analysis and interpretation of seabed imagery;
• Experience in zooplankton, phytoplankton and/or freshwater invertebrate identification;
• Experience working to recognised quality control scheme standards (e.g. NMBAQC); and
• Experience in identification of macrobenthic species from tropical, sub-tropical and/or deep water environments.

Marine Consultants (Graduate & Senior Levels)

Successful applicants will join our dynamic consultancy team and have the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of activities including: planning and conducting marine surveys in coastal and offshore areas; data management and interpretation; technical and research report writing; and preparation of high quality GIS mapping deliverables. Applicants should possess:

• A BSc degree in a marine scientific discipline;
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications;
• Familiarity with thematic mapping in GIS software packages;
• Familiarity with conducting statistical analysis; and
• Demonstrable experience in preparing technical and research reports.

Other desirable skills/experience/qualifications include:

• Post-graduate qualification(s) and/or a PhD;
• Proficiency in the use of ArcGIS for producing report quality mapping;
• Experience in reviewing geophysical data for habitat mapping purposes;
• Experience in analysing seabed imagery; and
• Proficiency in conducting statistical analysis in PRIMER, R or similar.

GIS Specialists

Successful applicants will primarily be responsible for managing and interrogating a wide variety of physical and biological datasets to produce high quality thematic mapping outputs. The outputs will inform the design of environmental sampling programmes undertaken by our field teams in intertidal, nearshore and offshore areas and will form key components of the technical deliverables provided to our clients.

We are particularly keen to hear from innovative individuals with an aptitude for developing and applying novel approaches aimed at standardising, improving and streamlining spatial data workflows. The role will also offer the opportunity for occasional nearshore and offshore field work and developing new skills in data management through collaboration with our in-house Data Solutions team.

The following will be essential to be considered for this post:

• Proficient in the use of GIS software, preferably ESRI ArcPro;
• Experience in reviewing and interpreting remote sensing data for habitat mapping purposes;
• Strong data management skills, with demonstrable experience in metadata handling and data archiving;
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications;
• A degree in GIS or an environmental discipline; and
• 1- 2 years professional or post-graduate GIS experience in consultancy or research.

Desirable skills/experience include:

• Demonstrable skills in processing and manipulating physical and environmental data in R, Python or similar;
• Proficiency in the use of ArcGIS web mapping tools;
• Post-graduate qualification(s);
• Experience in developing and implementing predictive modelling techniques;
• Demonstrable activity in the publication of peer-reviewed research; and
• Knowledge of programming and / or development of web applications (ArcGIS Online).

Marine Environmental Field Scientists (Entry & Senior)

Successful applicants will join our busy survey team and have the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of survey work delivered to our clients ranging from multidisciplinary offshore cruises spanning several weeks to one-two day nearshore surveys aboard our coastal survey vessels. Ideally applicants should posses:

• A BSc degree in a marine scientific discipline;
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications;
• A willingness to participate in coastal and offshore surveys aboard our survey vessels or third party vessels;
• In date offshore safety qualifications and medical certification;
• Marine Mammal Observer and/or Passive Acoustic Monitoring qualifications; and
• Familiarity with thematic mapping in GIS software packages.

Other desirable skills/experience/qualifications include:

• Experience in reviewing geophysical data for habitat mapping purposes
• Experience in analysing seabed imagery;
• Familiarity with conducting statistical analysis;
• Boat handling experience and qualifications such as RYA powerboat and VHF courses; and
• Demonstrable experience in preparing field and technical reports.

Hydrographic Surveyor (Ecospan)

We’re looking for a full-time suitably qualified and experienced hydrographic surveyor to join our subsidiary company Ecospan Environmental Limited (EEL) in Plymouth.

The successful applicant will be responsible for planning and conducting nearshore hydrographic surveys throughout the UK typically of 1-5 days duration as well as occasional longer-term deployments.  The role will primarily involve acquisition and processing of multi-beam bathymetry data but will also include provision of other hydrographic services to our clients in the ports, harbours, manufacturing and energy sectors.  These include: measuring tidal flows and wave velocities using ADCPs and RCMs; the installation and maintenance of tide gauges and multi-parameter meters; dye dispersion studies in support of our hydrodynamic modelling studies; side scan sonar surveys; and investigations using magnetometers.

We will consider candidates with differing skill levels ranging from recent graduates to those with considerable experience who are keen to take ownership and develop the hydrographic side of the business. A list of desirable requirements for the role are outlined below.

Desirable requirements:

• Degree in Hydrographic Survey or equivalent survey related discipline (ideally IHO Cat A or B).
• Experience of planning and undertaking all aspects of single beam and multibeam bathymetric surveys including acquisition through industry standard software packages (e.g. Hypack, NaviPac). This will include the processing and reporting of data obtained in the field.
• A thorough understanding of the set-up, use and data processing of ADCPs and other commonly used hydrographic and oceanographic equipment (e.g. side-scan sonar and magnetometers).
• Experience of working on small boats
• Commercially endorsed boat handling qualification
• Experience of towing (preferably in vehicles up to 5.5 tonnes)
• Ability to work flexible hours and travel when required
• The ability to cost and manage projects from inception to delivery of the final reports
• Good problem-solving abilities
• Have a positive, focused and pragmatic approach to the projects and relish the pressure of deadlines
• Enjoy taking ownership of your work and making key decisions.