15/07/2026
🌼 J O B O P P O R T U N I T Y 🌼
Senior Ecologists | £34,000–£47,000 or Principal | £47,000 + profit-linked bonus
Shaftesbury (Dorset) or Bristol | Hybrid & flexible working
Shape Your Career Around Your Life
We know that talented, experienced ecologists don't always fit neatly into a 9–5. At Darwin Ecology, flexible and hybrid working isn't a perk we mention in passing — it's built into how we operate. We'll work with you to design a role and schedule that plays to your strengths and fits your life.
Who we're looking for:
You're a skilled, confident ecologist with several years of consultancy experience under your belt. You care deeply about conservation, you're good with clients and organising a team, and you're ready for a role where your expertise is genuinely valued — and where you have real autonomy over your work.
You might be looking for somewhere that offers serious professional challenge without the inflexibility or pressure culture that can come with larger firms. That's exactly what we've built.
You'll bring:
🌼 Solid UK consultancy experience
🌼 A degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology or similar
🌼 Strong report writing and client communication skills
🌼 One or more protected species survey licences (ideally bats but also GCN, dormice, barn owls, or rare reptiles)
🌼 Experience with planning systems, EcIAs, HRAs, or Biodiversity Net Gain
🌼 A UK driving licence and willingness to travel to sites
Even better if you have:
🌼 Mitigation licensing or Named Ecologist experience
🌼 BMCL registration or Earned Recognition credentials
🌼 Management or mentorship experience
🌼 CIEEM membership
What a career at Darwin actually looks like:
We're a well-established, respected consultancy across the south and south west of England, known for thoughtful, conservation-led work across a diverse range of projects. Our teams in Shaftesbury, Bristol and Farnham collaborate closely — it's a collegial culture, not a competitive one.
What we offer:
🌼 Flexible and hybrid working — structured around your needs
🌼 Profit-linked annual bonus
🌼 25+ days annual leave, increasing over time
🌼 Enhanced maternity / paternity pay
🌼 Professional membership fees paid
🌼 Generous training and equipment budget every year
🌼 37.5 hour week with a structured TOIL system
🌼 Pet-friendly offices
🌼 A clear path to grow your specialisms and shape your own role
Why Darwin?
We're small enough that your work genuinely matters, and established enough to offer real stability and a strong reputation. You won't be a cog in a machine here, or spend weeks working away from home — you'll be a named, respected voice on projects you can be proud of.
If you're at a point in your career where you want meaningful work, real flexibility, and a team that champions you — we'd love to hear from you.
Take a look at our website to find out more about what we do www.darwin-ecology.co.uk To apply, send your CV and a covering email to [email protected].
We review applications on a rolling basis, so reach out whenever you're ready, including just for an informal conversation.
