About the job

Job summary

Do you want to play an important role in tackling the climate change emergency by helping to enable the sustainable development of offshore wind in Scotland? 

OCTOBER START DATE

The Scottish Government is preparing for the implementation of a new HR and Finance platform and, as a result, some job offers will be subject to an October 2024 start date at the earliest.  This will be confirmed as your application progresses.

The Marine Directorate of the Scottish Government are recruiting for a Marine Renewables Diadromous Fish Scientist. We are looking for someone who has practical skills to help carry out programmes of scientific research in Scottish seas. You will use evidence-based science to inform policy and decision making relating to renewable energy developments. There will also be the opportunity to go to sea to participate in diadromous fish acoustic monitoring surveys on board Marine Directorate research vessels.

This is a permanent post for a scientist to join our team and help us to improve the evidence base required for the sustainable development of offshore wind in Scotland, through the delivery of diadromous fish research projects. You will use your diadromous fish knowledge and research project outcomes to support the provision of scientific advice relating to marine developments to regulators and policy makers. A key part of this role is the ability to undertake analyses of acoustic telemetry data to a high standard and present the results to a variety of audiences. You will be expected to carry out fieldwork both in rivers and at sea. The latter includes collecting data on diadromous fish within the marine environment, preparing equipment, deploying and recovering equipment at sea and downloading data.  

Whilst we anticipate the role will be focussed on issues related to offshore wind, we operate a flexible resourcing policy within the Marine Directorate and as such the post-holder may be required to work on other areas of high priority work as required.

The R&E team currently has around 25 staff who provide advice within government on the potential environmental impacts of marine energy on key receptors including birds, marine mammals, fish and fisheries, benthic habitats, and diadromous fish. Our specialists also provide advice on other Scottish Government policy priorities, such as marine protected area management and regulation of other marine activities.

Job description

• Draft scientific advice relating to diadromous fish and the potential interaction with marine renewable developments
• Carry out statistical analysis and interpretation of results of fish acoustic telemetry data.
• Contribute to ongoing research into the distribution of diadromous fish in the marine environment
• Participate in seagoing fieldwork from the Marine Directorate’s research vessels Scotia and Alba na Mara, and from chartered vessels

Person specification

• A comprehensive understanding of salmon, sea trout and other diadromous fish, and the regulation, legislation and research that relates to these species in Scottish and/or UK marine waters.
• The ability to statistically analyse acoustic telemetry data, interpret results and present them to varied audiences.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to explain scientific concepts to varied audiences, particularly to other professionals.
• An ability to work independently with good planning and organisational skills.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

to be confirmed

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.