Principal Marine Ecologist
£220.00 per day Umbrella
Bristol (Hybrid)
18 Month Contract
The Senior Principal Marine Ecologist will lead and conduct high-profile environmental assessments to support delivery of trials on the MoD estate, including Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRAs) and marine impact assessments.
Experienced in supporting defence industry clients, including MOD estate, naval infrastructure, and sensitive marine operations, the role will deliver environmental support across coastal and marine environments which encompass complex consenting, environmental risk, and regulatory compliance challenges.
Key Accountabilities
Technical Leadership:
- Lead and quality‑assure HRA (screening, Appropriate Assessment, test of likely significance) for coastal and marine trials, projects, and operations.
- Provide senior technical input to marine ecology chapters within Sustainability Appraisals (SA), Marine Licenses and Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRA)
- Design and oversee marine surveys (intertidal, subtidal, benthic, fish, marine mammals, and supporting oceanographic parameters).
- Interpret complex ecological datasets and provide robust, defensible technical conclusions.
- Deep technical understanding of:
- Habitats Regulations case law
- integrity tests
- conservation objectives and condition assessments
- ecological impact pathways
- mitigation hierarchy and restrictions
- Provide technical input to Environmental Management Plans as required
Defence Sector Support:
- Provide specialist ecological advice for defence trial planning, in-water works, vessel operations and sonar/noise impacts.
- Support clients in navigating sensitive environmental constraints associated with Special Protection Areas (SPA), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ), and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in areas commonly used by defence operators.
- Advise on operational environmental risk, biosecurity, protected species compliance, and emergency response readiness.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement:
- Build strong working relationships with clients, including the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), Royal Navy, defence contractors, environmental consultants, regulators, and statutory nature conservation bodies in all devolved areas, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
- Represent the client at meetings, workshops, and site visits.
- Prepare and deliver clear written reports, briefings, and presentations for technical and non‑technical audiences.
Key Capabilities/Knowledge
- In depth knowledge of the CIEEM Competency Framework
- Proven capability in preparing, reviewing, and quality‑assuring technical reports.
- Strong understanding of:
- Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
- European/UK protected species and habitats legislation
- Marine noise, disturbance, water quality, and habitat‑loss pathways
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and client‑facing skills.
- Ability to work across multi‑disciplinary teams
Experience & Qualifications
- Relevant degree in Marine Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or other related discipline (Essential).
- Chartered Environmentalist and/or full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
- Experience working with or for defence clients (MOD, DIO, Royal Navy, defence contractors).
- Must have completed multiple HRAs, including: Level 2 Appropriate Assessments and complex project-level HRAs
- Extensive experience delivering and leading HRAs for marine or coastal projects.