Overview
Be among the first 25 applicants. Protect Nature. Shape Sustainable Development. Build a Better Future. At Mott MacDonald, we believe nature belongs at the heart of every development. As global challenges like urbanisation, climate change, and biodiversity loss intensify, our Nature Services Team is leading the way in integrating ecological and marine expertise into infrastructure projects that serve both people and the planet.
Graduate Ecologist, Graduate Freshwater Ecologist, or Graduate Marine Scientist, you’ll be part of a multidisciplinary team working across sectors such as water, transport, energy, and coastal infrastructure. You’ll contribute to projects that span the full lifecycle—from early design to implementation—ensuring nature is protected, enhanced, and celebrated. The successful candidate will be expected to start in May 2026.
We’re proud to be a wholly employee-owned company, where our people shape our direction and success. You’ll be supported by a culture that values your wellbeing, encourages innovation, and empowers you to grow your career with purpose.
Graduate Ecologist – Restoring Balance Between Nature and Infrastructure
You’ll work on a mix of office-based and field assignments, gaining hands-on experience and learning from seasoned ecologists and technical specialists. Your work will help shape infrastructure projects to be more nature-positive, resilient, and sustainable.
What You’ll Do:
* Conduct ecological surveys and assessments
* Support biodiversity enhancement and habitat restoration
* Influence scheme design to integrate nature-based solutions
* Promote best practice in ecological planning and mitigation
* Collaborate across disciplines to deliver sustainable outcomes
Graduate Freshwater Ecologist – Protecting Aquatic Ecosystems
You’ll deliver freshwater ecology inputs to schemes providing water resources, flood protection, transport, and energy. Your contributions will help protect and enhance freshwater ecosystems and influence sustainable infrastructure development.
What You’ll Do:
* Plan and conduct freshwater ecology surveys
* Collate and analyse freshwater ecology data
* Collaborate with hydrologists, hydrogeologists, water quality specialists, and engineers
* Provide freshwater ecology inputs to a range of environmental assessments
* Influence scheme design for the benefit of freshwater habitats and species
Graduate Marine Scientist – Safeguarding Coastal and Marine Environments
You’ll contribute to marine, coastal, and estuarine projects that span engineering, flood defences, port infrastructure, energy developments, and environmental policy. This is an environmental role focused on protecting marine ecosystems and supporting sustainable development.
What You’ll Do:
* Process large environmental datasets and conduct literature reviews
* Prepare environmental assessments and marine licence applications
* Design and implement coastal and offshore surveys
* Coordinate technical inputs and manage marine licences
* Collaborate with engineers, oceanographers, and planners on multidisciplinary projects
Candidate Specification
We are looking for committed and motivated graduates with a genuine passion and a desire to make a difference in the world. If this describes you, apply today to launch your career at Mott MacDonald.
To be eligible for this opportunity, you will have some relevant experience (excluding placements) and have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree (obtained no earlier than 2024) or expected to achieve one, in one of the following degree disciplines:
* Ecology
* Biodiversity
* Biology
* Conservation
* Marine
* Marine Biology
* Marine Ecosystem Management
In your application, you should demonstrate your genuine interest in both the opportunity and joining Mott MacDonald, highlighting any relevant experience or interests such as modules studied, prior work experience, or research about our company, values, and projects.
We personally review every completed application form. This part of our selection process is human-led; we do not use AI tools at this stage and kindly expect you not to either. You will answer each application question with authenticity to help us get to know the real you. Joining us as a graduate is your opportunity to shape your own story.
Strengths We Are Looking For
* Proactively takes initiative to complete tasks efficiently and independently
* Communicates effectively and clearly with clients and colleagues
* Delivers high quality written work with great attention to detail and clarity
* Demonstrates a structured and analytical approach to problem solving
We support adaptable working. Please ask us at interview about any adaptability you may need.
Note: Mott MacDonald Ltd. is not able to provide visa sponsorship through the UK Skilled Worker route at this time (UK Government changes in April 2024).
Development and Benefits
Our graduate programme includes: a three-year early careers soft skills development programme – Accelerating your Future; mentoring; training; and opportunities to progress your career. You will have a mentor to guide you and biannual salary reviews for the first three years. A competitive salary and contributory pension up to 7% of your salary, plus an adaptable benefits scheme.
Equality, diversity and inclusion, agile working, and a commitment to social responsibility are central to our approach. Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation.
About Your Development
A graduate position should be more than just a job. You will receive the training you need from day one, with a mentor and a three-year development programme designed to equip you for a long-lasting career at Mott MacDonald.
#J-18808-Ljbffr