Careers

Principal Ecologist

• Application closes: 31/12/2026
• Renumeration: Salary Negotiable (starting at £45,000pa) (this role operates on a 4-day working week (32 hours))
• Location: Bristol (Long Ashton)

We are seeking a high-calibre Principal Ecologist to join our growing ecology team. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a well-established and thriving consultancy, working across ecology and environmental projects in the South West and beyond.

This role is perfect for an ambitious, senior consultant or experienced Principal Ecologist who wants to drive the standard of ecological work, manage a growing team, and shape the future of a successful business. You will provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance across the ecology team, while also contributing to hands-on project work.

We are looking for someone who can prioritise effectively, work on their own initiative, and meet tight deadlines, while nurturing a positive team culture and ensuring high-quality delivery.

Why this role is exciting:

• Lead a talented ecology team and influence the quality, culture, and growth of our consultancy
• Opportunities to develop your career, expand specialist skills, and take ownership of projects
• Flexible working arrangements, including home/office mix
• 4-Day Work Week (reduced hours, competitive pay) supporting work-life balance
• Local projects (majority within 1 hour of Bristol) with limited evening/night work
• Work across diverse ecological projects including EcIA, EPS licensing, HRAs, ES chapters, and protected species surveys

Essential Skills and Experience

• Essential Skills and Experience:
• 8+ years’ experience in ecological consultancy
• Expertise in higher-level ecological reporting (EcIA, EPS license preparation, HRA, ES chapters)
• Genuine enthusiasm for ecology and the environment
• Experience managing or mentoring junior ecologists
• Survey licences for one or more protected species (bats, newts, dormice), or recognised specialist in another taxa
• Strong understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain, Phase 1/NVC habitat surveys, and protected species surveys
• Experience in designing and implementing mitigation
• Technical review of ecological reports
• Excellent communication skills with colleagues, clients, and third parties
• Full or chartered member of CIEEM (or eligible)
• Full UK driving licence and access to own car

Desirable skills:

• Experience in sales or business development, or willingness to learn
• Advanced expertise in a specialist ecological area (e.g., bats, newts, botany)
• EPS Mitigation licences or specialist mitigation class licences (e.g., Bat ER, Badger class)
• Degree or equivalent in an ecology-related discipline
• Experience with QGIS or ArcGIS (training can be provided)

Who we are looking for:

• A well-rounded consultant ready to take responsibility for a growing team
• Someone who can mentor and motivate colleagues, ensuring high standards across projects
• A candidate who lives within commuting distance of Long Ashton, Bristol (or is willing to relocate), but enjoys the flexibility of a mix of office and home working

If you are ready to take the next step in your ecology career and make a real impact on a thriving consultancy, we would love to hear from you.

To apply: Please send your CV and covering letter to ecology@abricon.com

Ecologist/Senior Ecologist

• Application closes: 31/12/2026
• Renumeration: Expected Salary: Ecologist £28,000 - £35,000, Senior Ecologist £36,000 - £44,000 per annum (this role operates on a 4-day working week (32 hours))
• Location: Bristol (Long Ashton)

We are currently recruiting for a high-calibre ecologist to join the existing ecology team at ecologist or senior ecologist level. An exciting position has become available due to the continued growth and success of the business, and the successful candidate will be joining a well-established company near Bristol specialising in environmental consultancy. You will be providing support in all aspects of the ecology teams work. This is a busy role, which involves dealing with a wide range of matters, sometimes of a confidential nature and will include interaction with clients.  The post holder must be able to prioritise effectively and work to tight deadlines on his/her own initiative.

The project-based nature of our work means the candidate must be willing to undertake some survey work (majority of our projects are local/within 1 hour drive), and we work hard to ensure our team members achieve a work-life balance (Abricon Limited operates a 4-Day-Work-Week – reduced hours/competitive pay) and meet their personal and career objectives.

Roles & responsibilities (exact responsibilities will depend on the experience of the successful candidate)

• Manage ecology projects;
• Be able to work independently and undertake ecological fieldwork at sites throughout the UK
• Prepare fee proposals for new projects;
• Report writing;
• Biodiversity Net Gain tasks;
• Resource management, timekeeping and budgeting;
• Liaise with clients, other organisations and lead ecology team members to promote strong working relationships and effective communication;
• Desk based tasks which may include carrying out data searches, data analysis and evaluation of results, impact assessments;
• Design and implementation of mitigation strategies, including the production and submission of EPS licence applications;

Essential skills and qualifications

• Experience in environmental/ecological consultancy (minimum of 3 years);
• Experience of undertaking ecological surveys in the UK, with a detailed knowledge of UK ecology and survey techniques;
• Experience in Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and calculations;
• Experience in the design and implementation of mitigation works;
• The ability to prepare reports to the highest standard;
• Thorough understanding of UK nature conservation legislation and planning policy;
• Experience of client liason and preparation of quotes;
• Ability and willingness to travel for survey work and to work away from home;
• Current UK driving licence and access to own vehicle;
• An ecological degree or related subject (or equivalent experience).

Desirable

• Licenses to survey for protected species;
• Experience of writing and submitting successful European Protected Species Licence applications;
• Have held licenses issued by Natural England/ Natural Resources Wales to permit works affecting protected species (such as bats, great crested newts, dormice and badgers)
• Experience of preparing ecological chapters of Environmental Impact Assessments

Please apply with CV and covering letter to: ecology@abricon.com

Seasonal Assistant Ecologists – Full Time

• Application closes: 30/04/2026
• Job commences: May 2026
• Renumeration: Expected Salary: £24,000 - £27,000 per year (this role operates on a 4-day working week - 32 hours)
• Location: Bristol (Long Ashton)

We are currently looking for Seasonal Assistant Ecologists to join our Ecological Consultancy team based in Bristol. This is an exciting full time role where you will have the opportunity to work alongside a small team of Ecologists at a friendly micro company from May until end of September 2026.

This will be a fantastic opportunity for the right candidates to build on existing knowledge and skill sets, supported by motivated colleagues. Abricon specializes in terrestrial ecology, working mainly in south west England.

We work hard to ensure our team members achieve a healthy work–life balance, and Abricon Limited operates a 4-Day Work Week (32 hours). This means our team works fewer hours than a traditional 5-day consultancy role, while maintaining a competitive salary and providing more time for life outside work. We also have caps on the amount of evening/night work or other antisocial hours undertaken.

Work will include evening bat surveys and you would be expected to be available on Monday to Thursday evenings during the bat survey season (April-October). Occasional weekend work is also expected.

We look forward to employing aspiring ecologists who can hit the ground running. If you think this is you, apply with your CV and brief cover letter detailing how you meet the job description.

The successful candidates will:

• Have a degree in a relevant discipline.
• Have prior experience of working in the industry (desirable).
• Have experience in protected species surveys (dormice, great crested newts, bats, reptiles, badgers and phase I/Preliminary Ecological Appraisals) (desirable).
• Will be self-driven and motivated, with personal achievement goals.
• Be a member of CIEEM or qualify for membership.
• Have an understanding of UK legislation, planning processes and the sector in general.
• Have experience in Microsoft basic packages (Word, Excel etc.)
• Have a full driving licence free of endorsements and have their own car for use for work journeys.
• Be physically fit enough to work on large outdoor sites.

The role includes:

• A competitive salary commensurate with experience and skills.
• One-to-one training on protected species surveys, ecological report writing and strong support for professional development, including opportunities for attendance of training courses.
• Opportunities to advance your communication skills with clients.
• Colleagues to support your career development.
• Career development within friendly growing company.

Expected start date: May 2026

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Please apply with CV and covering letter to: ecology@abricon.com

Assistant Ecologist – Full Time (Permanent)

• Application closes: 31/03/2026
• Job commences: April/May 2026
• Renumeration: Expected Salary: £24,000 - £27,000 per year (this role operates on a 4-day working week - 32 hours)
• Location: Bristol (Long Ashton)

We are currently looking for Assistant Ecologists to join our Ecological Consultancy team based in Bristol. This is an exciting full-time, permanent position where you will work alongside a small team of ecologists in a friendly and supportive micro-consultancy environment.

This role provides an excellent opportunity for motivated candidates to develop their ecological skills, gain hands-on survey experience, and build a career in ecological consultancy. You will be supported by experienced colleagues and given opportunities to develop both field and office-based skills.

Abricon specialises in terrestrial ecology, working mainly across the South West of England.

Due to the project-based nature of our work, candidates must be willing to undertake field survey work. The majority of our projects are local and typically within a one-hour drive of the office.

We work hard to ensure our team members achieve a healthy work–life balance, and Abricon Limited operates a 4-Day Work Week (32 hours). This means our team works fewer hours than a traditional 5-day consultancy role, while maintaining a competitive salary and providing more time for life outside work. We also have caps on the amount of evening/night work or other antisocial hours undertaken.

The role will include evening bat surveys, and candidates must be available Monday to Thursday evenings during the bat survey season (April–October). Occasional weekend work may also be required, although this is usually daytime fieldwork.

We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals who are keen to develop their career in ecology and contribute to a growing consultancy. If this sounds like you, please apply with your CV and a brief cover letter outlining how you meet the job description.

The Successful Candidate Will:

• Hold a degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology).
• Have prior experience working in ecological consultancy or a related field (desirable).
• Have experience in protected species surveys, such as dormice, great crested newts, bats, reptiles, badgers, and Phase 1 / Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (desirable).
• Be self-motivated, proactive, and organised, with a strong willingness to learn and develop professionally.
• Be a member of CIEEM or eligible for membership.
• Have an understanding of UK wildlife legislation, planning processes, and the ecological consultancy sector.
• Be proficient in Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel, etc.).
• Hold a full UK driving licence with no endorsements and have access to a car for work-related travel.
• Be physically fit and comfortable working on large outdoor sites in varying weather conditions.
• Be willing to be office-based most days, working collaboratively with colleagues while also undertaking fieldwork as required.

The Role Includes:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and skills.
• One-to-one training in protected species surveys and ecological report writing.
• Strong support for professional development, including opportunities to attend training courses.
• Opportunities to develop client communication and consultancy skills.
• Supportive colleagues who will help with career development.
• Career progression opportunities within a friendly and growing company.

Expected start date: May 2026

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Please apply with CV and covering letter to: ecology@abricon.com

Ecological Field Surveyors – Seasonal

• Application closes: 01/10/2026
• Renumeration: Competitive - dependent on experience
• Location: Bristol (Long Ashton)

We are looking for motivated, hard-working field surveyors to assist with the ecological surveys and possibly some office tasks during the survey season (April/May – September/October). It is a great opportunity for local students or graduates considering career in ecological consultancy. This is a part-time zero hours contract position with flexible hours (the hours of work are to be flexible and are not guaranteed each week).

The role of the field surveyor will be to assist with undertaking ecological surveys (Extended Phase 1 Habitat Surveys, Bat Surveys, Reptile Surveys, Badger Surveys, Dormouse Surveys…). The role might also involve conducting sound and video analysis collected during surveys.

Experience and skills:

• An interest in ecology and conservation – essential
• Enthusiasm for, and willingness to spend long days and nights working outside in British weather conditions – essential
• Be available on a short notice – preferred
• Valid current driving license and access to a car – preferred

Assistance is required from April/May – September/October. Costs associated with the field work (travel, lunch etc.) will be covered. Hourly pay will depend on experience. Although this is a casual position, applicants must be reliable and committed to their role.

All applicants must be able to get to our office in Long Ashton reliably, including outside of normal public transport operating hours due to the night time nature of our work.

If you are interested in this position, please email your CV and likely availability (how many days/evenings a week you are available and when you can start) to: ecology@abricon.com

If you would like further information on the position please contact us on 01275 391297 and ask to speak with a member of the ecology team.

We are collecting CVs at the moment and will be selecting people for an interview in March-April and then, if required, periodically throughout the survey season.