Overview

Pay Grade: Grade 2 – £28,562 pro-rata, per annum
Type of Contract: Fixed Term until October 2026
Hours: Full-Time, 40 Hours Per Week

Ben Lawers NNR is the most important mountain area in the UK for rare arctic-alpine plants, some of which occur in few other locations. The long running programme of monitoring is fundamental to informing conservation management such as the pioneering restoration of montane willow scrub, which was in terminal decline. The reserve now hosts the finest examples in the UK.

We are looking for a Seasonal Ecologist to be an enthusiastic and effective member of the property team. You will carry out botanical and other biological monitoring, as part of an ongoing programme, to inform management of the NNR.

The role is a physical one, requiring regular walking to high altitude locations and working on steep ground. You may work alongside other staff and volunteers but there will be a frequent requirement for lone working.

Although the role is not primarily public facing, you may interact with visitors during the course of your work. You will be an ambassador for the National Trust for Scotland leaving those you meet with a desire to respect, protect, and enjoy the NNR and an understanding of how they can help to contribute their support to the property. The role may support other staff with events when required.

Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Knowledge

Essential:

  • An interest in field botany and demonstrable identification skills.
  • Competence in hillcraft to be self-reliant working safely on steep ground, at up to 1200m and in varying weather.
  • Ability to walk to high altitude and remote parts of the property on a daily basis.
  • A current valid driving licence.
  • Experience in producing written reports.

Desirable:

  • Experience of lone working.
  • Experience of using GIS.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should forward their Curriculum Vitae (CV) or a completed application to People Team (Applications), by email via workforus@nts.org.uk by Sunday 8th March 2026.

Please ensure your CV includes your full name and contact details, the CV file sent to us should be titled with your first initial and surname. When submitting your CV please state the position and job location of the vacancy you are applying for in the subject title or body of your email, for example: “Seasonal Ecologist-Ben Lawers”

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