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The Scottish Government has set a target to generate 50% of Scotland's overall energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030. Large-scale deployment of offshore wind farms (the ScotWind offshore wind leasing round) and other marine renewables are a key part of meeting this target so understanding the environmental effects of this essential.

Scientists within the Renewable Energy Environmental Advice (REEA) Group of the Scottish Government’s Marine Scotland Directorate provide scientific expertise and advice on the potential effects of marine renewables on key environmental receptors (marine birds, marine mammals, marine fish, fisheries, diadromous fish, benthic habitats and species, and oceanography).

This expertise and advice are underpinned by a scientific evidence base focusing on the environmental effects of marine renewables. REEA scientists both identify evidence needs and develop and deliver research to address priority knowledge gaps. This evidence base is used to provide advice on marine energy developments, marine conservation, and climate change. This has included providing expertise on seabirds in relation to the recent Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak, seabird ‘wrecks’, and the identification of potential management measures to improve seabird conservation prospects.

The evidence base is delivered through a combination of external commissioning , building collaborations with specialists and stakeholders, and in house science. We collaborate with specialist science, policy and planning colleagues across Marine Scotland, as well as universities, research institutes, NGOs, consultancies and industry to deliver high quality, relevant applied research that is used in real-world decision-making. Critical knowledge gaps that risk effective planning and consenting are addressed through Marine Scotland’s Scottish Marine Energy Research (ScotMER) Programme. There will also be opportunities to take part in scientific cruises on Marine Scotland’s research vessels.

A key environmental receptor for Marine Scotland are seabirds, and we are looking to build our team of scientists by recruiting additional ornithologists.

Information about the Role

We are in a global climate emergency. Would you like to play a critical role in producing scientific advice to help mitigate climate change while ensuring environmentally sustainable use of Scotland’s seas?

You will play take a leadership role in delivering marine ornithology research and advice within Marine Scotland. As part of the REEA team of scientists, you will identify and address key knowledge gaps and deliver applied research to fills these gaps. This includes contributing to the ScotMER programme, scoping and designing research projects, undertaking research activities, providing science input and oversight of the commissioning and delivery of research projects, developing strong collaborations including PhD supervision, seeking external funding to support research and other means of delivering high quality research. Currently, we are developing projects to tag and monitor seabirds at Scottish colonies and are participating in research to understand how seabirds and their prey are affected by offshore wind farms, PrePARED: (owecprepared.org).

A key part of the role will be the provision of specialist advice and technical guidance on marine birds to Marine Scotland Licensing Operations Team (MS-LOT) and Policy and Planning colleagues in relation to the assessment of environmental impacts of marine renewable developments. Critical to this will be the development of the scientific evidence base underpinning the advice via the ScotMER Programme and the Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind ornOrnithology Working Group.

You must ensure that you are familiar with the best available science through maintaining a comprehensive understanding of best practice and detailed up to date knowledge of marine bird ecology and assessment methodologies.

You will help to maintain and further develop good working relationships with relevant stakeholders, including NatureScot, JNCC, RSPB, academia, consultants and industry. You will represent the Scottish Government and Marine Scotland at national and international forums. This is a varied and highly rewarding post in a technical field of scientific excellence, and the post holder must successfully manage a range of competing priorities often to very tight deadlines.

• Support the Senior Marine Ornithologists in ensuring that advice within Government is based on the best available science and practice by identifying knowledge gaps that are key constraints to advice provision and initiating, scoping and delivering applied research (externally commissioned, in house or collaborative) that addresses these
• Help to identify and pursue opportunities for delivering relevant applied research, e.g. through external collaborations, securing external funding, PhD supervision, and other means
• Contribute to the preparation of scientific advice and guidance on seabirds to LOT and Policy & Planning colleagues within Marine Scotland. This will principally be in relation to marine renewables but may also relate to other marine construction activities, marine conservation and other policy areas
• Represent MS at external meetings regarding these issues
• Maintain good communication with Marine Scotland colleagues and external stakeholders
• Line manage up to 2 staff

• A good understanding of seabird ecology, threats and conservation.
• Experience of ecological research and an ability to critique scientific methods and results.
• The ability to work independently with good organisational skills and effectively prioritise work and manage projects.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to explain scientific concepts to varied audiences.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job contact :

Name :
Jared Wilson
Email :
[email protected]

Recruitment team :

Email :
[email protected]