Salary - £31,942 - £33,898
Fieldwork
Dates: 27th April - 4th September 2026
Short-Term Appointment, Full-time, 37 hours per week
Closing date for applications, 30 January 2026. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.
Are you a passionate andexperienced Botanist or Entomologist? Would you be interested in contributing to UKCentre forEcology &Hydrology’s(UKCEH)nationally important fieldwork across England?We’relooking for12 Botanical or EntomologicalFieldSurveyors to joinournationalLandSpAESsurvey team working across Englandduring the summer season of 2026.
LandSpAESProject Summary
UKCEH are conducting a re-survey of thehigh-profileLandscape-scale speciesmonitoringofagri-environment schemes(LandSpAES)project,building on a baseline surveycarried out between 2017-2022. Funded by Natural England, this projecthas developeda robust, landscape-scale monitoring programme to understand howagri-environment schemes influence key mobile species across England. Byestablishinga solid ecological baseline, theprojectassessedhow species’ abundance and distribution respond to different scheme interventions at both local and wider landscape levels.Suchfindings feed into national-scale modelling,provide evidence to Defra and Natural England,helping to evaluate the environmental impact ofagri-environment schemes and guide future policy. Find outmore about the projecthere:
The survey report from the2017-2022project is available here:
The 2026 Season& Site Locations
These are four-month fixed-term appointments, working full-time (37 hours per week) for the 2026 survey season, running fromlate Aprilto early September 2026.
Ourfieldsitesare located in:Yorkshire,Devon,Warwickshire,Kent/ Sussex,Lincolnshire / Cambridge,Essex/ Suffolk.We invite applications from candidates who are comfortableworkingmainly basedin one of these regions, with apossible requirementto travel to otherregions.Most of the work will be basedin these six regions ofEngland and requires a flexible approach to travel and locations and staying away in temporary accommodation close to field sites.
WhatYou’llGet Up To
Working on behalf of UKCEH as a FieldSurveyor,you'llspend the summer contributing to nationally important fieldwork in some of the country’s most varied and remote landscapes.You’llplay a crucial role in delivering this national biodiversity monitoring programme that will help shape the future ofagri-environment policy in England. The data you collect will form part of a robust, multi-year baseline used to understand how key mobile species respond toagri-environment schemes- work that will directly inform long-term conservation efforts and national-scale modelling. Your contribution will be essential to ensuring the scientific quality,accuracyand reliability of this evidence base.
Important & Logistical Information
1. This is a field-based role working across England, requiring regular weekday travel and periods of overnight stays, depending on survey schedules. Travel expenses from your assigned temporary accommodation to your place of work (fieldsite) arereimbursable, as well as your first and last journey to your assigned region.
2. This role involves working outdoors for extended periods, including carrying survey equipment across uneven,ruggedand sometimes remote terrain. A level of physical fitnessappropriate tothese activities isrequired. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and will consider reasonable adjustments where possible.
3. Fieldwork will take place in all weather conditions and may occasionally involve remote locations, or early morning starts for moth trapping.We’relooking for someone with a flexible, positive approach and the confidence to adapt to changing conditions, withappropriate supportand planning.
4. All surveyors mustbe available toattend a one-week, full-time training course at our Wallingford (Oxfordshire)Head Officesite from 27 April - 1 May 2026
WhoWe’reLooking For
We’relooking for Botanists andEntomologistswho genuinely enjoy working as part of a supportive, hands-on team and bring a positive, can-do attitude to every day in the field.You’lltake real pride in getting the details right-whether accuratelyidentifyingspecies, recording habitats or following agreed scientific protocols,andyou’llbe someonewho’salways happy to muck in and help others.It’san excellent opportunity for anyone who loves being outdoors, enjoys practical fieldwork, and wants to play a meaningful role in supporting high-quality environmental data collection.
Your main responsibilities will include:
5. Accurately recordingentomological,botanical and habitat data in the field, following scientificmonitoringprotocols
6. Reliable and precise data entry using UKCEH-provided data capture software and mapping tools
7. Liaising professionally with landowners, fellowsurveyorsand the survey management team
8. Ensuring the security and integrity of field and personal data
9. Taking responsibility for personal and team health and safety
Strong communicationskills,reliabilityand a collaborative approach are key, as is the ability to build good relationships with fellow surveyors,landownersand the wider project team.You’llneed to be comfortable working outdoors in all weathers, adaptable when plans change, and confident managing your time and responsibilities independently. If you love variety, fresh air, and the satisfaction of contributing high-quality botanical and habitat data to a nationally significant project - all while working alongside a dedicated, friendly team -we’dbe delighted to hear from you.
This is a rewarding and highly practical field-based role that will take you to remote, beautiful, and at times physically challenging sites across England. During fieldwork you will stay in short-term rental accommodation with basic cooking and cleaning facilities. In most cases, one or two team members will share a property - this may include mixed-gender accommodation - with shared kitchen and bathroom spaces. Please ensure you are fully comfortable with this type of living arrangement and the remote nature of the work before applying.
For the role ofSurveyor,we’relooking for somebody who has:
10. Botanists:Strong botanical survey skills across a range of habitats (equivalent to FISC Level 4 or higher)as well as the ability to recognise broad and priority habitats
11. Entomologists:Ability toidentifyUK bumblebees and/or butterflies to a species level in the field
12. A keen interest and passion for speciesplant or insectidentification (no formal academic qualificationrequired), preferably with experience and involvement with other citizen science orspeciessurveys
13. Experience of surveyingat other field sites, and following specific scientific protocols
14. Highly practical, with excellent communication and team-working skills
15. Capability to work independently, show initiative and manage your own time effectively
16. IT literacy and the ability to learn new field data-recording software
17. A full driving licence (please confirm on your CV orsupporting statement)
Desirable Skills
It would be great if you bring someadditionalskills to the role, such as experience in ecological surveying, confidence using GIS or other mapping and data-capture software in the field, and a valid outdoor First Aid certificate. Off-road (4×4) driving experience would also be a real bonus, helpingyouget to some of the more remote survey locations.
This role offers valuable opportunities to build new skills, deepen your botanicalandentomologicalknowledge, and gain hands-on experience alongside a supportive team of experiencedsurveyors. Many of oursurveyorsreturn for multiple seasons, citing the field experience, team environment, and skill development as key reasons for coming back.