Job Description
UKCEH is looking for a Website Developer to join our collaborative team within our Biodiversity science area.
This is more than a technical role. We’re particularly 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’ll work as part of 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’ll support the development and maintenance of this infrastructure, working alongside developers, researchers, and technical specialists across UKCEH.
You’ll provide support for Indica tools and associated mobile applications and websites used in nationally important programmes such as iRecord (https://irecord.org.uk/) the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS; https://ukbms.org/) the National Plant Monitoring Scheme (NPMS; https://www.npms.org.uk), and the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (UK PoMS; https://ukpoms.org.uk/).
You’ll also play an active role in enhancing BRC’s web-based platforms to support UKCEH’s science, helping ensure they are robust, secure, and user-friendly. It’s a role that blends technical delivery with collaboration and problem-solving, where you’ll learn by doing and grow your skills in a supportive team environment.
Your main responsibilities will include:
* Developing and maintaining web applications and platforms that support environmental research
* Translating scientific and technical requirements into practical, user-friendly web solutions
* Ensuring web services are robust, secure, and scalable
* Collaborating with researchers and stakeholders to design intuitive digital tools
* Identifying and solving technical challenges with curiosity and creativity
* Keeping up to date with emerging technologies and best practice in web development
As one of our Web Developers, you’ll play a key role in supporting and maintaining the digital infrastructure that underpins our citizen science work. We’re looking for someone with a genuine interest in environmental issues, who’s motivated by contributing to something meaningful. In return, this is a role where you’ll genuinely grow. You’ll develop new technical skills, gain hands-on experience in a collaborative IT and development environment, and build your expertise in tools such as content management systems and GIS/spatial data.
There’s plenty to get stuck into, so we’re looking for someone who enjoys working alongside dedicated researchers and is energised by learning. You’ll primarily work alongside experienced developers, receiving mentoring and hands-on training as you build your confidence across key technologies. You’ll be comfortable picking up new skills quickly and applying them in practice. You’ll be 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’re looking for somebody who has:
* A degree in web development, software engineering, or a related IT field (or equivalent experience that demonstrates your capability and initiative
* Strong technical skills across relevant technologies such as PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Drupal CMS, and database management
* Experience designing, building, and improving web applications that deliver real value to users
* An understanding of health, safety, and environmental considerations, particularly in relation to web-based data
* An adaptable, solutions-focused mindset, with a track record of technical problem-solving and continuous improvement
* The ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks effectively in a busy environment
* A talent for translating complex scientific or technical requirements into clear, user-friendly web solutions
* 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.