Associate Ornithologist

SLR is a global leader in sustainability solutions, working with clients to help make sustainability happen, within a collaborative, people‑first culture.

Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced Associate / Principal Onshore Ornithologist to join our established Scottish Ecology team, delivering high‑profile ornithology and renewables projects.

Based in Scotland, you will play a lead role in delivering avian ecology inputs to major onshore wind farms, other renewable energy schemes (including DCO‑scale projects), and linear infrastructure. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to large, complex and high‑profile developments while working within a team of over 240 experienced ecology professionals across the UK and Ireland.

While the focus is on ornithology, we do not pigeonhole our ecologists — if you have additional ecological skills (e.g. protected species, botany), we actively encourage you to continue developing and applying them.

The Role

You’ll lead the delivery of onshore ornithology projects from planning through to detailed assessment, working closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams. Duties include:

• Project and technical leadership – managing ornithological aspects of development projects across renewables, infrastructure and land management
• Client management and proposal support – preparing fee proposals, scopes of work, tender submissions and technical reports
• Mentoring and coaching ornithology staff – with potential for line management depending on experience
• Survey programme oversight – scheduling, managing and delivering complex ornithological survey work packages using in‑house and subcontractor teams
• Technical assessment – preparing and reviewing Ornithological Assessments, Habitats Regulations Appraisals, EIA ornithology chapters and related reports
• Cross‑disciplinary collaboration – working with planning, landscape, hydrology, noise, air quality and senior ecology colleagues across the UK and overseas
• Business development – identifying opportunities to expand ecology and related services in Scotland

The role may involve short‑term travel across the UK depending on project locations.

Rewards & Benefits

SLR’s ‘One Team’ culture is at the heart of our business, providing a collaborative and supportive environment for professional development. Through a structured career framework, regular performance reviews, and full support toward chartership, professional qualifications and licences, we offer outstanding opportunities for long‑term career progression.

Our flexible benefits & reward package includes:

• Competitive salary with discretionary bonus
• Company pension
• Private medical insurance
• Life, income, and travel insurance
• Salary sacrifice car lease and cycle‑to‑work schemes

We believe sustainable careers need balance, so we offer:

• Flexible, hybrid and agile working
• 25 days’ annual leave plus flexible public holidays
• Buy or sell leave options
• Core working hours
• Cross‑border remote working and sabbatical opportunities

Family life and wellbeing matter at SLR:

We provide enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, and specialist support for mental health, stress and menopause—supporting our people both professionally and personally.

About You

You’ll bring:

• A passion for avian ecology, high‑quality delivery and supporting the development of other ecological professionals
• A degree in ecology or a related subject (or equivalent experience), with CIEEM membership desirable
• Strong understanding of the European Birds and Habitats Directives and assessment methods for European designated sites
• Strong knowledge of the Scottish environmental planning system and ornithological impact assessment requirements
• Experience in ornithological survey design, data interpretation and (ideally) collision risk or territory analysis
• Strong report writing skills, including Ecological Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Appraisals
• Demonstrable experience in winning, managing and delivering projects in line with health and safety and financial procedures
• Experience providing technical leadership and quality assurance on projects
• A flexible, proactive approach to work
• A full UK driving licence

Culture & Inclusion

Inclusion is fundamental to who we are. We are committed to equal opportunities and foster a workplace where everyone can thrive, supported by active Culture & Inclusion Committees and Employee Networks. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are a Disability Confident Committed employer. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.

If this Associate / Principal Onshore Ornithologist role aligns with your experience and ambitions, we encourage you to apply.