Principal Restoration Ecologist

Location: United Kingdom. Remote/home based, but with potential for hybrid working in the future, subject to candidate’s location. Role entails site work throughout the UK.  We would prefer candidates to be based in southern England or the midlands but are open to applications from those located further afield. 

Role type: Full-time

Reports to: Ecological Operations Director

Salary range: £45-50k per annum, dependent on experience.

ABOUT RESTORE

RESTORE is on a mission to revive ecosystems at a land-and-seascape scale. We design, finance and deliver ambitious nature restoration projects that result in measurable ecological recovery, create local employment opportunities and deliver invaluable ecosystem services.

Our work is informed by, and contributes towards, the best available science. From rebuilding soil biota to designing naturalistic grazing regimes and undertaking reintroductions of nationally and regionally extinct species, every aspect of our projects is geared towards the recovery of biodiversity (including bio-abundance) at pace and at scale. We work on ambitious ecological restoration projects across the UK, from the Outer Hebrides to Cornwall. 

Our team is made up of ecologists, project managers, nature recovery strategists, natural capital experts, nature communications specialists and many other change-makers – working together to accelerate the recovery of the natural world.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development of an agile, innovative, mission-driven company that blends ‘start-up’ energy with decades of combined experience and expertise. 

ROLE OVERVIEW

As Principal Restoration Ecologist, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our ecosystem restoration projects. Working closely with the Ecological Operations Director, you will lead ecological survey, analysis and reporting programmes, author inspiring ecological vision reports, guide the development of management plans rooted in science and ambition and collaborate with our Species Recovery Ecologist to support the delivery of our pioneering species recovery work. You will also work closely with our project- restoration teams to embed rigorous, multi-taxa baselining and monitoring programmes, ambitious research and development and ecological restoration principles and evidence into every project.

This is a role for an experienced, innovative, entrepreneurial restoration ecologist who is equally comfortable in the field and at the desk – someone who brings rigour, creativity, and deep ecological knowledge to every project and is adept at finding novel restoration solutions.

In time, this role will require line management of more junior ecologists. 

This is a leadership role for someone who can do, inspire and innovate – a senior ecological thinker who thrives on translating ecological knowledge into large-scale impact on the ground and developing ambitious, pioneering approaches to the restoration of ecosystems.

Crucial to the success of this role is an ability to build and maintain excellent working relationships with a broad range of collaborators and stakeholders – from academic research scientists to landowners, Government licensing bodies, NGOs, foresters, farmers and habitat contractors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Ecological Leadership

• Lead our programme of baseline and monitoring surveys across a range of restoration sites, including further development and implementation of our bioacoustics, environmental DNA and passive visual detection methods.
• Develop and oversee ecological management plans that reflect site conditions, long-term ecosystem restoration goals and evolving scientific knowledge.
• Contribute ecological expertise to the design of restoration strategies across diverse ecosystems (e.g., peatlands, wetlands, grasslands, woodlands).
• Lead on embedding ecological science into practice and designing on-project research trials in partnership with academic and industry partners.

Visionary Reporting

• Craft compelling, science-based ecological vision reports that inspire partners, landowners and funders.
• Translate ecological data into narratives that highlight a site’s potential for biodiversity recovery and the delivery of ecosystem services.

Project Support & Delivery

• Support the end-to-end delivery of nature restoration projects in collaboration with project restoration teams, landowners and stakeholders.
• Lead on project management – setting timetables, identifying resource needs, conducting risk assessments, and designing ecological survey frameworks.
• Ensure that restoration work adheres to ecological best practice and is aligned with regulatory and funding requirements.

Research & Innovation

• Stay at the leading edge of ecological science and restoration methods, integrating new knowledge into project design.
• Support and lead research collaborations with academic institutions and contribute to internal R&D on ecological methods and metrics.
• Test and refine ecological monitoring approaches that demonstrate real, measurable outcomes.

Mentorship & Team Culture

• Mentor junior ecologists and field staff, fostering a culture of learning, precision, and shared purpose.
• Contribute to internal training, field standards, and the development of team-wide ecological best practice.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO:

• Has proven experience of working effectively on large-scale ecological restoration projects.
• Is passionate about ecosystem recovery, nature-based solutions and innovation of practice.
• Has deep ecological knowledge across temperate ecosystems, habitats and species, preferably in a UK context.
• Has proven experience designing and implementing ecological baseline surveys and monitoring programs.
• Has excellent technical writing skills, with the ability to communicate restoration visions, detailed habitat proposals and technical details clearly and convincingly.
• Has experience writing ecological management plans, reports and/or strategies.
• Is comfortable working across multiple sites and projects simultaneously, often with changing conditions and constraints.
• Has strong project management and collaboration skills, with an ability to work cross-functionally across teams.

DESIRABLE:

• Full Member of CIEEM and/or a Society for Ecological Restoration Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner.
• Experience with GIS, remote sensing, bioacoustics and/or ecological modelling.
• Able to create high quality maps and plans to communicate ecological and environmental data and deliverables.
• Knowledge of ecosystem services frameworks, biodiversity net gain and/or natural capital approaches.
• Knowledge and experience of ecological restoration in the freshwater aquatic and/or marine environments.

YOU WILL THRIVE HERE IF YOU:

• See the bigger picture and the small details – valuing long-term ecological transformation as well as rigorous fieldwork and meticulous project management.
• Love being outdoors but are just as driven when shaping strategy or writing reports.
• Want to be part of a team that delivers significant ecological impact, collaborates extensively and inspires others to take action – through science, creativity and bold, ambitious approaches to nature restoration.
• Are naturally entrepreneurial and adventurous.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS:

• You will require a full driving license valid in the UK in order to undertake this role due to the remote location of some of the sites.
• We offer a range of benefits including a competitive salary, generous annual leave, a contributory pension scheme and learning and development support.
• RESTORE is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes the very best nature-minds from every background. We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse sector in which everyone feels supported and valued.