Are you a passionate and experienced Botanist or Entomologist? Would you be interested in contributing to UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology’s (UKCEH) nationally important fieldwork across England? We’re looking for 12 Botanical or Entomological Field Surveyors to join our national LandSpAES survey team working across England during the summer season of 2026.
LandSpAES Project Summary
UKCEH are conducting a re-survey of the high-profile Landscape-scale species monitoring of agri-environment schemes (LandSpAES) project, building on a baseline survey carried out between 2017-2022. Funded by Natural England, this project has developed a robust, landscape-scale monitoring programme to understand how agri-environment schemes influence key mobile species across England. By establishing a solid ecological baseline, the project assessed how species’ abundance and distribution respond to different scheme interventions at both local and wider landscape levels. Such findings feed into national-scale modelling, provide evidence to Defra and Natural England, helping to evaluate the environmental impact of agri-environment schemes and guide future policy. Find out more about the project here: https://www.ceh.ac.uk/our-science/projects/landspaes
The survey report from the 2017-2022 project 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 from late April to early September 2026.
Our fieldsites are located in: Yorkshire, Devon, Warwickshire, Kent / Sussex, Lincolnshire / Cambridge, Essex / Suffolk. We invite applications from candidates who are comfortable working mainly based in one of these regions, with a possible requirement to travel to other regions. Most of the work will be based in these six regions of England and requires a flexible approach to travel and locations and staying away in temporary accommodation close to field sites.
What You’ll Get Up To
Working on behalf of UKCEH as a Field Surveyor, you'll spend the summer contributing to nationally important fieldwork in some of the country’s most varied and remote landscapes. You’ll play a crucial role in delivering this national biodiversity monitoring programme that will help shape the future of agri-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 to agri-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, accuracy and reliability of this evidence base.
Important & Logistical Information
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) are reimbursable, as well as your first and last journey to your assigned region.
This role involves working outdoors for extended periods, including carrying survey equipment across uneven, rugged and sometimes remote terrain. A level of physical fitness appropriate to these activities is required. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and will consider reasonable adjustments where possible.
Fieldwork will take place in all weather conditions and may occasionally involve remote locations, or early morning starts for moth trapping. We’re looking for someone with a flexible, positive approach and the confidence to adapt to changing conditions, with appropriate support and planning.
All surveyors must be available to attend a one-week, full-time training course at our Wallingford (Oxfordshire) Head Office site from 27 April - 1 May 2026
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for Botanists and Entomologists who 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’ll take real pride in getting the details right - whether accurately identifying species, recording habitats or following agreed scientific protocols, and you’ll be someone who’s always happy to muck in and help others. It’s an 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:
Accurately recording entomological, botanical and habitat data in the field, following scientific monitoring protocols
Reliable and precise data entry using UKCEH-provided data capture software and mapping tools
Liaising professionally with landowners, fellow surveyors and the survey management team
Ensuring the security and integrity of field and personal data
Taking responsibility for personal and team health and safety
Strong communication skills, reliability and a collaborative approach are key, as is the ability to build good relationships with fellow surveyors, landowners and the wider project team. You’ll need 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’d be 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 of Surveyor, we’re looking for somebody who has:
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
Entomologists: Ability to identify UK bumblebees and/or butterflies to a species level in the field
A keen interest and passion for species plant or insect identification (no formal academic qualification required), preferably with experience and involvement with other citizen science or species surveys
Experience of surveying at other field sites, and following specific scientific protocols
Highly practical, with excellent communication and team-working skills
Capability to work independently, show initiative and manage your own time effectively
IT literacy and the ability to learn new field data-recording software
A full driving licence (please confirm on your CV or supporting statement)
Desirable Skills
It would be great if you bring some additional skills 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, helping you get to some of the more remote survey locations.
This role offers valuable opportunities to build new skills, deepen your botanical and entomological knowledge, and gain hands-on experience alongside a supportive team of experienced surveyors. Many of our surveyors return for multiple seasons, citing the field experience, team environment, and skill development as key reasons for coming back.
How to Apply & Essential Application Checklist / Criteria
If this opportunity aligns with your career goals, we would be delighted to receive your application. To help ensure your application is considered successfully, please ensure your CV and Supporting Statement clearly demonstrate the following:
Upload a CV detailing your relevant survey work, including clear examples, and experience following established scientific protocols.
Upload a short Supporting Statement (300-500 words – instructions below). Please do not submit a cover letter – these will not be considered
Confident and relevant species identification skills
Any relevant qualifications or training relating to botany
Confirmation of your full-time availability for the summer season (late April–September 2026), and dates for scheduled interviews and the HQ training session
A full driving licence and ability to drive manual fleet vehicles
Supporting Statement Instructions
What interests you about this role and the LandSpAES project, and why would you like to be part of the 2026 field season with UKCEH? (We’re keen to understand your motivation and what draws you to this nationally important survey work)
What relevant field survey experience and species identification skills would you bring to the role? (Please include examples of botanical or entomological survey work, habitats surveyed, and any experience recording field data by following scientific protocols)
How do you approach practical fieldwork and working as part of a team in varied and sometimes challenging conditions? (This might include working outdoors in all weathers, travelling between sites, staying in shared accommodation, or managing your time independently)
Our Interview Process
Our two-stage selection process gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your field skills and meet the team behind this project.
Stage 1: Telephone Interview & ID Assessment (27 & 28 January, 3 & 4 February 2026)
A 15-minute telephone interview, followed by a 45-minute species identification assessment to assess your botany and/or entomology ID skills.
Stage 2: Interview (9 - 13 February 2026)
Successful candidates will be invited to interview (remote or in person) and meet the project team at UKCEH Wallingford, Oxfordshire. The one-hour interview offers insight into the role, team culture and the wider recruitment programme.
Employment Options
If your application is successful, you will be offered one of the following engagement options:
Contract of Services (Agency)
Engagement via Hays Plc. You will submit weekly timesheets, approved by your UKCEH line manager, and be paid weekly by Hays
Self-Employed Contractor
Available to individuals operating outside IR35. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their employment status in line with HMRC guidance (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-employment-status-for-tax)