Ecologist

Useful Links

Job Profiles

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/ecologist

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/ecologist

IEMA podcast: Episode 12 - Green Skills and Green Jobs for a greener economy

Podcast from the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). The global professional body for individuals and organisations working, studying or interested in the environment. In this episode, Laila Takeh from Deloitte and Martin Baxter from IEMA, discuss what we mean by Green Skills and Green Jobs and how organisations can understand and implement greener credentials.

Skills for the Green Economy: The Adecco Group

In this white paper, The Adecco Group draws upon internal insights and international expertise to illustrate the crucial role that skills investment needs to play in moving toward a Green Economy. Explore the recommendations on p19.

Closing the UK’s Green Skills gap

A Green Alliance policy insight paper (2022) “Training up the workforce will enable government to marry its environmental aims with its economic and social ambitions.” You'll find the summary on p2.

Transforming your organisation for the Green Economy

Key findings from Deloitte’s research into building a greener workforce across the UK economy.

Ecologists help to protect and restore the natural environment by providing important information about how human activity affects individual species and ecosystems.

Qualifications

University

A degree in a biological science or environmental subject is generally required. In particular, the following degree subjects may increase your chances:

applied life sciences
biology (specialising in ecology)
botany/plant science
conservation biology
ecology
environmental biology
environmental management
geography
marine biology
zoology.

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do a postgraduate ecologist degree apprenticeship.
This typically takes around 3 years to complete.
You'll need a qualification and experience in an ecological science to apply.

You'll usually need:

a degree in a relevant subject for a degree apprenticeship

Employers

Taken from Prospects

Competition can be fierce in this sector, so gaining as much experience in ecological surveying as you can is essential.

A range of organisations employ ecologists, including:

Nature conservation agencies:

Other governmental and statutory bodies include:

You can also find opportunities with your local government, national park authorities and water authorities.

Scientific bodies include:

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and its research centres, including the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the British Antarctic Survey, and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC).
The Marine Biological Association (MBA)
Freshwater Biological Association

Conservation and ecology NGOs and voluntary organisations also hire ecologists. For example:

Other employers include the media and public relations, educational institutions and businesses and industry. Biological survey work is also carried out by consultancies working for any of the organisations above or for commercial concerns, such as construction firms, including highway construction, landfill companies and renewable energy companies developing wind farms.

Environmental consultancies are listed in the ENDS Environmental Consultancy Directory.

Look for job vacancies at:

Applying speculatively to organisations to enquire about jobs or voluntary work can be effective.

Try to build up a network of contacts from any work activities you get involved in. LinkedIn is also a useful tool for connecting you with professionals in the field and for searching for work opportunities.