At Jacobs, were challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the worlds most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
Your impact
Are you ready to take your ecological career to the next level? Join Jacobs UK Ecology Team as a Principal Ecologist and become part of a dynamic, forward-thinking organisation thats making a real impact—locally and globally.
Were hiring nationwide, with opportunities available in our offices across Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Peterborough and Reading. Wherever youre based, youll find a welcoming team and exciting projects waiting for you.
At Jacobs, we dont just offer jobs—we build careers. Youll be joining a respected and ambitious company with a strong reputation for excellence and innovation. Our commitment to your growth is backed by
* Global Career Framework – chart your path with clarity and purpose
* Chartership Academy Programme – support to achieve professional accreditation
* Employee Networks & Communities of Practice – connect with over 200 ecologists in the UK & Ireland, and 600+ globally
* A culture of collaboration and sustainability – work on projects that matter
Whether youre looking to lead groundbreaking ecological assessments, mentor junior colleagues, or contribute to shaping environmental policy, Jacobs provides the platform to thrive.
Positions are available on a permanent full-time and part-time, job share or flexible basis.
The role will include
* Delivering major infrastructure projects across water, transport, and energy sectors for clients like Anglian Water, National Highways, Network Rail, and more
* Applying your expertise in Environmental Impact Assessment, Habitats Regulations Assessment, and/or Biodiversity Net Gain
* Collaborating across disciplines, ensuring ecological requirements are integrated into project design and delivery
* Leading ecological monitoring programmes, managing surveys and ensuring high-quality data collection
* Providing expert advice, acting as the main point of contact for clients and stakeholders on large-scale projects
* Building cross-functional networks, working with specialists across geographies and cultures to develop effective solutions
* Mentoring and learning, sharing knowledge through global communities of practice, conferences, and training events
Heres what youll need
* Strong background in terrestrial ecology with significant industry experience
* Chartered membership (or eligibility) of a relevant professional body
* Proven track record in leading ecological input on large-scale projects
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with sharp attention to detail
* High level of personal accountability and professionalism
* A technical specialism in terrestrial ecology—or broad experience with the ability to adapt quickly to new area
Our Culture
Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and diversity. We put people at the heart of our business and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees. Find out more about life at Jacobs.
We aim to embed inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, were more connected, and if we are diverse, were more creative. We accept people for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, mental health, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether youre pregnant or on family leave. This is reflected in our wide range of Global Employee Networks centred on inclusion and diversity – ACE, Careers, Enlace, Harambee, OneWorld, Prism, Women and Vetnet. Find out more about our employee networks here.
Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain diverse talent. For greater online accessibility please visit to view and access our roles. As a Disability Confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.
If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team.
Your application experience is important to us and were keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. We welcome feedback on our recruitment process and if you need more from us before deciding to join Jacobs then please let us know.
Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.
With safety and flexibility always top of mind, weve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. Youll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, youll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.
We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, were more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here.
Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit to view and access our roles.
As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
Your application experience is important to us, and were keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.