Salary - £31,942 to £38,898
Hybrid working (50/50)
Wallingford
Permanent
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.
UKCEH is looking for a Website Developer to join ourcollaborativeteam within our Biodiversity science area.
This is more than a technical role.We’reparticularly keen to hear from people who bring genuine curiosity, passion, and enthusiasm for environmental challenges and conservation. Your work will help support the collection and sharing of data that underpins vital biodiversity research and informs policy - from national indicators to long-term ecological understanding.
You’llworkas partof the Biological Records Centre (BRC), contributing to how large-scale biodiversity data is captured, visualised and shared. This is an opportunity to be part of something meaningful: enabling citizen science at scale and helping people across the UK contribute to understanding and protecting the natural world.In this role,you’llsupport the development and maintenance ofthisinfrastructure, working alongside developers, researchers, and technical specialists across UKCEH.
You’llalso play an active role in enhancingBRC’sweb-based platformsto support UKCEH’s science, helping ensure they are robust, secure, and user-friendly.It’sa role that blends technical delivery with collaboration and problem-solving, whereyou’lllearn by doing and grow your skills in a supportive team environment.
Your main responsibilities will include:
1. Developing andmaintainingweb applications and platforms that support environmental research
2. Translating scientific and technical requirements into practical, user-friendly web solutions
3. Ensuring web services are robust, secure, and scalable
4. Collaborating with researchers and stakeholders to design intuitive digital tools
5. Identifyingand solving technical challenges with curiosity and creativity
6. Keeping up to date with emerging technologies and best practice in web development
Asone ofour Web Developers,you’llplay a key role in supporting andmaintainingthe digital infrastructure that underpins our citizen science work.We’relooking for someone with a genuine interest in environmental issues,who’smotivated by contributing to something meaningful.In return, this is a role whereyou’llgenuinely grow.You’lldevelop new technical skills, gain hands-on experience in a collaborative IT and development environment, and build yourexpertisein tools such as content management systems and GIS/spatial data.
There’splenty to get stuck into, sowe’relooking for someone who enjoysworking alongside dedicated researchersand is energised bylearning.You’llprimarily work alongside experienced developers, receiving mentoring and hands-on training as you build your confidence across key technologies.You’llbe comfortable picking up new skills quickly and applying them inpractice.You’llbe someone who can take direction when needed, while also showing initiative and confidence to work independently and keep things moving forward.
For the role of Web Developer,we’relooking for somebody who has:
7. A degree in web development, software engineering, or a related IT field (or equivalent experience thatdemonstratesyour capability and initiative
8. Strong technical skills across relevant technologies such asPHP,HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Drupal CMS, and database management
9. Experience designing, building, and improving web applications that deliver real value to users
10. An understanding of health, safety, and environmental considerations, particularly in relation to web-based data
11. An adaptable, solutions-focused mindset, witha track recordoftechnicalproblem-solving and continuous improvement
12. The ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks effectively in abusyenvironment
13. A talent for translating complex scientific or technical requirements into clear, user-friendly web solutions
14. Confidence communicating technical concepts to non-technical audiences, helping ideas land and make an impact
If you’re motivated to build a career in web development, excited by learning new skills, and want your work to contribute to environmental impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply Today – Supporting Statement Questions
If this role excites you and fits with your career goals,we’dlove to hear from you. Pleasesubmityour CV along with responses to the questions below. Your answers should highlight the qualifications, skills, and experience most relevant to this role. Provide up to 150 words per question, using specific examples todemonstrateyour personal contribution and impact. Please do notsubmita separate cover letter.
Supporting Statement Questions (2–3 maximum, confirm word limit: 300-500 words)
15. Can you describe your experience developing ormaintainingweb applications, and the technologies you have used (e.g.PHP,JavaScriptor other programming languages,HTML, CSS,CMSplatformsor databases, GitHub)
16. Tell us about a time you translated complex or technical requirements into a practical, user-friendly solution. How did you ensure it met user needs?
17. This role involves supporting citizen science platforms such asiRecordand working across multiple priorities. How do you organise your workload and approach problem-solving when managing competing tasks or technical challenges?
You’llbe joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institutethat’scommitted to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.
Working for UKCEH is rewarding
We appreciate the continuous dedication and contributions of our staff, which is why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes financial incentives and wellbeing-orientedperks, such as:
18. 27 days annual leave (rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service) plus 3 days for Christmas closure
19. 10% employer pension contribution
20. Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (role dependant)
21. Peer reward and recognition scheme
22. Dental insurance, gym/fitness discounts, retail discount portal
23. Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
24. 24-hour, 365-day support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues and much more...
Our Commitment to Inclusion
At UKCEH, we are committed to creating an inclusive andequitableworkplace where everyonehas the opportunity tothrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and circumstances. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from neurodivergent candidates and people with disabilities, andwe’rehappy to provide adjustments or support at any stage of the recruitment process - just let us know. Ifyou’reexcited about this role but your experiencedoesn’talign perfectly with every requirement,we’dlove to hear from you anyway. You may be just the right fit for this role or another within our wider team.
Please note:Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for thisroleand this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, pleaseindicatethis in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.