Senior Fisheries Scientist

INSPIRE Environmental, a leading marine environmental consultancy and member of the London-based Venterra Group, is seeking a Senior Fisheries Scientist to help expand our UK-based environmental practice. INSPIRE also has offices in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. as part of the Venterra Group, a global offshore wind services organization comprising more than 600 specialists across environmental science, offshore survey, engineering, and subsea technology.

INSPIRE is internationally recognized for delivering unbiased, defensible scientific data to support sustainable marine resource management. Our expertise goes beyond benthic and fisheries surveys into the science that underpins them, including benthic ecology, fisheries science, marine acoustics, nature-based design, and marine data science. Using a broad toolkit of survey methods, including advanced non-extractive imaging, and clear data visualization, we help clients and regulators understand marine ecosystems and make informed decisions for responsible ocean development.

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced Senior Fisheries Scientist to join our multidisciplinary team and lead fisheries projects supporting offshore renewable energy and coastal projects. The successful candidate will manage fisheries survey and advisory programs, oversee project teams, and design innovative fisheries studies that support project permitting while advancing best practices in fisheries science.

This role combines technical leadership, client engagement, and applied research. You will work closely with developers, regulators, fishermen, and research partners to deliver high quality science that informs sustainable fisheries management and responsible ocean development. The position also includes collaboration with interdisciplinary teams across the Venterra Group portfolio to develop integrated environmental solutions and strengthen client relationships.

Key Responsibilities:

• Reporting to Dr. Annie Murphy, Senior Director and Head of INSPIRE’s UK office, to expand INSPIRE’s services, reputation, and network.
• Coordinate with INSPIRE U.S. fisheries leadership to advance best practices.
• Lead, contribute to, and manage fisheries science projects such as environmental impact assessments and monitoring programs, including study design, fieldwork, data analysis, and client reporting.
• Design and implement innovative fisheries surveys that are catered to meet the specific needs of each project
• Represent and promote INSPIRE to clients, regulators, and key stakeholders across the marine sector.
• Collaborate across INSPIRE and the wider Venterra Group network of marine experts.
• Contribute to business development through proposal writing, strategic planning, and client engagement.
• Represent INSPIRE at industry events, conferences, and through published work to enhance visibility and credibility.

Ideal Candidate:

• MSc or PhD in marine biology, fisheries science, marine ecology, or related discipline.
• At least 5 years of applied experience in marine environmental science, preferably within consultancy or regulatory frameworks.
• Experience in conducting offshore and coastal field surveys using both conventional and non-extractive fisheries monitoring approaches.
• Recognized expertise in fisheries science with a strong professional network and industry reputation.
• Strong knowledge of UK fisheries regulatory frameworks and agencies including MMO, Marine Scotland, ICES, and Cefas.
• Experience working alongside commercial fishing industry partners to design and execute projects.
• Proven success in business development, team leadership, and strategic project delivery.
• Excellent communication skills with experience presenting to diverse audiences including scientists, policymakers, and fisheries stakeholders.
• A collaborative mindset and demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams
• and manage multiple projects simultaneously

What We Offer:

• A senior leadership opportunity with room to shape and grow our UK operations.
• Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality ecosystem assessments.
• The chance to work on diverse, high-impact projects in the UK and internationally.
• A supportive, values-driven culture focused on scientific integrity and environmental stewardship.

To Apply:

To express interest, please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your experience and what excites you about joining INSPIRE Environmental. Qualified candidates will be contacted by email and invited for an interview.

At INSPIRE, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. INSPIRE believes that diversity and inclusion are critical to our success as a company, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

About Venterra Group:

Venterra Group is a dedicated wind energy services group at the forefront of driving the clean energy transition. Together, we engineer, build and support the operations of major wind developments around the world by providing specialist, technical and comprehensive services at every stage of the project lifecycle. Our vision is to become the global services champion and strategic partner supporting the wind industry’s rapid expansion.