Aquatic Ecologist Graduate - Edinburgh - start Summer 2026

Overview

Support aquatic ecological surveys, lab analysis and client communication for projects

Key Responsibilities

• lab analysis
• aquatic survey
• data analysis
• terrestrial survey
• client response
• project collaboration

Tasks

-Assist with other administrative duties which add value to the management and development of the team. -Conduct laboratory analysis of macroinvertebrate samples (family and mixed-taxon) in our Leeds or Nottingham laboratory; -Support the delivery of existing and new contracts for the collection and analysis of aquatic survey data including fish, macroinvertebrates, crayfish, macrophytes, riparian mammals, River Habitat Survey etc.; -Comply with internal business management procedures, including in relation to health and safety and technical quality of all advice and outputs; -Contribute to maintaining internal and external client relationships, including providing urgent ecological response and / or advice as required; -Assist with a wider range of terrestrial ecology surveys -Communicate with line manager, project managers, clients, project teams and other members of the Aquatic Ecology and Water Environment team in person, by telephone, e-mail, letters and reports; -Work as part of the existing network of AECOM ecologists and water scientists within the UK and Ireland; -Collaborate with colleagues in wider AECOM teams on multi-disciplinary projects;

Requirements

• microsoft office
• freshwater
• msc
• aquatic ecology
• numeracy
• communication

What You Bring

-Solid attention to detail -Ability to communicate effectively to internal and external clients, both verbally & in writing with the confidence to engage with a variety of people (clients, colleagues, stakeholders and sub-contractors alike) and the aptitude to rationally explain, explore and discuss technical issues and capture feedback -Microsoft Office skills essential such as Word, Excel & PowerPoint -Strong numeracy -Ability to structure & prioritise work effectively through close cooperation with the team as a whole -Freshwater experience is essential -A degree (preferably MSc or higher, but BSc considered) in Aquatic Ecology/Ecology or related discipline (Freshwater Biology, Marine/ Ecology/ Zoology) would be an advantage, as would previous commercial and/or regulatory experience. -The successful candidate will understand some or all the following: aquatic ecology and surveys such as fish, macroinvertebrates, crayfish, macrophytes, riparian mammals and/or River Habitat Survey. -Full driving license and willingness to travel on occasion is desirable (some site travel with equipment may be required)

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About Aecom

-Launched as a bold independent infrastructure consultancy from a merger of five legacy firms dating back over a century. -Handles everything from geotech to electro-mechanical systems, as seen in the award-winning Romaine Hydroelectric Complex in Canada. -Guides projects through every lifecycle stage in transportation, buildings, water systems, energy, and environmental sectors.

Sector Specialisms