

Job title: 1020-312 Marine Sustainability Adviser – Aquaculture and Benthic | Grade: D | Vacancy type: Fixed Term Appointment until 31st March 2029 | Hours: 35 hours | Salary £41,567| Location: Scotland, flexible (Home and hybrid working will be considered | Closing date: Midnight 20th May 2026 | Internal Interview date: 29th May 2026 | External Interview date: 10th June 2026
Job Purpose Summary
The post-holder will be part of our Sustainable Coasts and Seas Activity Team and will lead the provision of statutory casework advice to NatureScot staff on marine biodiversity impacts associated with finfish, shellfish and seaweed aquaculture and other marine industries and activities including but not limited to: ports and harbours, other coastal infrastructure and research proposals.
The successful post holder will engage and collaborate with NatureScot case leads and other key marine specialists, as well as the aquaculture sector, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, relevant marine industries and academic institutes, Crown Estate Scotland, Local Authorities and relevant Directorates in Scottish Government. Advice will be required for phases of development activity in line with our statutory duties including Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitats Regulations Appraisal.
The post holder will analyse and interpret environmental information and provide appropriate casework advice. They will be confident in advising on implications for preventing biodiversity loss and enhancing nature, particularly in respect of recognising potential impacts from aquaculture on the marine environment and seeking solutions to reduce any adverse impacts. The post holder will also contribute to the preparation of guidance and research requirements and will input to external research steering groups as well as leading on internal training on aquaculture and implications for biodiversity.
The post holder will also be required to contribute to the wider work of both the Sustainable Coasts and Seas and Marine Ecosystem Activity Teams, including the potential to work as part of the duty officer team rota for responding to marine pollution incidents.
This work covered by this post is high profile and we are seeking an experienced and resilient individual with the confidence to engage with a range of partners and multi-task across complex casework demands, as well as contributing to strategic work and delivering high quality outputs. The role includes support to Scottish Government colleagues in development of aquaculture policy and strategy, including approaches to improve and streamline aquaculture consenting processes.
The post holder is required to have a comprehensive knowledge of benthic ecology with an understanding of fish ecology in Scottish / UK waters as well as understanding of the Scottish aquaculture sector, particularly finfish aquaculture and potential interactions with nature. They are also expected to have a good understanding of Scotland’s marine environment, including policy and legislation relating to its sustainable management.
Roles at this grade will typically work autonomously or as part of a team to provide specialist advice and technical expertise with some autonomous decision making. The range of tasks can vary and will therefore require a well-developed understanding of a complex body of knowledge in their chosen field or specialist area. Consequently, planning and organising of own workload is required to deliver the corporate priorities. There may be line management responsibilities in this role. The role is required to evaluate different approaches, problem solve and provide a range of solutions.
Key Responsibilities
Skills required (please refer to these in your Supporting Statement)
Prerequisites Required
Working for NatureScot – what we offer you
Application Process
Application is by CV and Supporting Statement. Please ensure you have attached these documents when submitting your application.
Before applying for this post;
If you have previously applied for a vacancy with NatureScot you must remove the supporting statement from your profile, before uploading a new version.
Interviews
External candidates will be invited to interview if we are unable to recruit internally.
NatureScot’s Net Zero commitment
Whether working at home or in an office, or travelling to meetings and site visits, as a NatureScot you will contribute to our Net Zero plan, for example through positive carbon travel choices.
For information regarding the vacancy please contact
Tracey Begg (Tracey.Begg@nature.scot)
For information regarding the recruitment process please contact:
Nature is vital to all of us, so it is vital that we are an organisation for all of Scotland. The more diverse NatureScot is, the better we will be in connecting everyone with nature. We particularly encourage applications from people from Minority Ethnic (ME) backgrounds and people with a disability.