Senior / Principal Ecologist
Arup, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Closing date: 25 January 2026
About the role
We are currently looking to recruit Senior / Principal Ecologists on a permanent contract into a range of offices including York, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Projects can vary greatly in nature and duration including renewable energy, water industry, transport and data centre projects.
Key responsibilities
* Preparation of clear and concise reports, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA), species survey reports, Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), Habitats Regulations Appraisals (HRA) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments.
* Experience of BNG and other metrics (e.g. Building with Nature), natural capital / environmental net gain studies, site and corporate biodiversity strategies, TNFD, IFC Performance Standard 6 and nature‑related policies.
* Advising on restoration/enhancement of habitats, biodiversity design and integration of green infrastructure design and other nature‑based solutions.
* Field survey work such as Phase 1 Habitat/UKHab surveys, protected species surveys (bats, otter, badger) and experience with protected species survey licences.
* Mentoring junior staff to help them develop their careers.
Skills and experience
* Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Zoology, Geography, Biology or equivalent.
* Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline is advantageous.
* Membership of CIEEM or equivalent professional body, aiming for Chartered status.
* Full driving licence.
* Experience working in the consulting industry, ideally with a broad range of ecological experience and client‑facing roles.
* Proficiency with ArcGIS and digital tools to deliver efficiency and innovation.
What we offer
* Competitive, fair and equitable pay with a transparent total reward package.
* Profit share and the opportunity to benefit from future growth.
* Private medical insurance, life assurance, accident insurance and income protection cover.
* Flexible benefits and flexible working arrangements.
* Learning opportunities and a career path that encourages growth and belonging.
Application process
To understand what to expect next, please visit https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/.
Please email Karin Spies at karin.spies@arup.com. To remain GDPR compliant, do not send your CV directly via this email.
Equal Opportunity
Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, irrespective of age, gender identity, marital status, disability, neurotype, mental health, race, ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background or pregnancy.
We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. If you need assistance or reasonable accommodations, please contact Karin Spies (karin.spies@arup.com).
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