PeacePlus Nature Conservation Scientist (Wader Surveys)

• Ornithological research experience - PhD in a relevant subject or a Masters degree with 3-5 years of demonstrable experience in ornithological research, including applied or field-based projects. Equivalent research experience welcomed.
• Breeding wader survey and data skills - Knowledge of breeding wader survey methods, data-collection design, and data analysis, gained through participation in a scientific or conservation project.
• Citizen science survey knowledge - Understanding of citizen-science survey approaches, including their strengths and constraints, and experience contributing to data-collection design and analysis within a scientific or monitoring project.
• Data analysis and scientific reporting - Ability to analyse ecological or ornithological data using appropriate statistical methods and to present results clearly in reports, publications, etc.
• Volunteer-based fieldwork logistics - Experience managing access, logistics, and practical arrangements for volunteer-based fieldwork in remote or challenging locations.
• Project management - Ability to plan, coordinate, and deliver projects effectively.
• Volunteer and partner engagement - Ability to engage, motivate, and support volunteers and partners, and to adaptively communicate scientific information.
• IT and GIS capability - Confident user of IT systems and able to use GIS tools / willing to learn.
• Able to travel to field sites reliably.

A rare opportunity to advance wader conservation science. PeacePlus Nature is an ambitious €20.8 million programme that brings together nine partners to tackle the decline in priority species and habitats in Northern Ireland, and the border counties of Ireland. They will be undertaking two national scale breeding wader surveys over 2027 and 2028 with a significant proportion of volunteer engagement and citizen science.

PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.

The successful candidate will

• Work with and manage a small, dedicated team of wader surveyors, to develop and deliver national scale breeding wader surveys and wader survey training to develop the volunteer base in Northern Ireland and Ireland.
• Maintain and develop external collaborations, collating and analysing evidence on breeding wader status and trends.
• Present the results of your work.