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Job description

The postholder will lead BTO’s seabird work within the ACCLIMATISE project, which will involve development and management of field programmes, and development and delivery of field- and desk-based research projects. The postholder will be employed on a 36-month contract, commencing January 2026 and finishing December 2028. The role will be line-managed by Andrew Upton, BTO’s Senior Research Ecologist in Northern Ireland and for technical advice, will report to Dr Liz Humphreys, Head of Marine Research within BTO’s Wetland and Marine Research Team. BTO is a project partner in the ACCLIMATISE project, supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). ACCLIMATISE is led by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI). Within this project, BTO is the lead on Work Package 2 ‘Transboundary Conservation Strategies and Sustainable Management of Marine Predators’. BTO together with RSPB are leading on the ornithological work within the project and this specifically includes seabird tracking and diet analysis, at sea surveys, passive acoustic monitoring (PAM), and developing a transboundary seabird conservation strategy and action plans for priority threatened seabird species. The successful applicant should have a PhD or equivalent experience in ecology or other related area. A proven ability in handling birds and the use of special methods, together with experience of designing field-based projects and leading field teams is required. They should be well-organised, with good statistical knowledge and experience in the application of statistical techniques. The post will require a good understanding of the ecology of seabirds, an adaptability to work on a range of projects and the ability to communicate results to a range of audiences. An aptitude for project management, or willingness to learn, and an ability to liaise proactively with a wide range of stakeholders, including funders, government, industry and NGOs is desirable. This is an exciting opportunity for the postholder to use and develop a range of skills to deliver BTO’s suite of seabird work within the ACCLIMATISE project. You will be based at the recently opened BTO NI office in Lisburn and be part of the BTO NI team, which currently includes two science staff, two engagement staff and one intern who works across both disciplines.

Responsibilities

• The postholder will lead BTO’s seabird work within the ACCLIMATISE project, which will involve development and management of field programmes, and development and delivery of field- and desk-based research projects.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• A PhD in ecology or other related area, or equivalent experience, with at least 3 years of post-doctoral experience, including field-based research on seabird ecology.
• Good knowledge of ecological principles, bird ecology, population biology and survey techniques, and their application to conservation science, particularly with regards to seabirds.
• A current BTO ringing permit with a proven ability in handling birds (especially seabirds) and expertise in the use of special methods, including a wide range of bird catching methods and the safe fitting of tags and devices.
• Advanced expertise in designing field-based projects. The ability to plan, design and execute analytical research projects and to see them through to the completion of reports and refereed publications.
• Expertise in computer programs for the manipulation and statistical analysis of ecological data. Experience of the use of R, GIS and spatial analysis.
• The ability to learn the use of new programming languages and computer packages and methods of statistical analysis as required.
• Good knowledge of the British avifauna and their ecology and of bird survey techniques.
• An ability to develop new research ideas and collaborations, and to think strategically about the development of research programmes.
• Proven ability to publish in refereed scientific journals and to write scientific reports.
• Ability to represent and communicate the work of the BTO externally to a range of existing/potential partners and to build collaborative networks.
• Good all-round communication skills in terms of writing for scientific and popular publications, oral presentation of the work of the BTO (to audiences including scientists and policy makers to the general public), and interviews for TV and radio.
• Good personal organisation and time management skills.
• Willingness to travel and to work out of hours.
• A valid UK driving licence and access to a private vehicle are essential, as the role involves travel to rural areas that may not be served by public transport.

Desirable Skills

• Experience in surveying seabirds at-sea and familiar with identifying marine birds regularly found in British and Irish waters, including different age classes of seabirds.
• Ability to lead a field team and have a strong understanding of the logistics around planning and delivering a seabird tagging season.
• An aptitude for project management, or willingness to learn, including planning and delivery of research projects, and ability to liaise proactively with external contacts (scientists, industry, funders).

Further Information

This is a 36 month contract, commencing January 2026. You can read the full role description by clicking on the role description under 'supporting documents' in the job details on our careers page. Please contact us if you are not sure if you meet all the criteria for the role and would like to discuss the role in more detail.