The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is recruiting an Earth Observation Specialist to join its Ecosystems Analysis team, with applications closing at 11.55pm on Sunday 22 November 2026.

The permanent post, advertised as reference 2026063 at Grade H (HEO), can be based in Peterborough, Aberdeen or Cardiff. Applications must be made through the Civil Service Jobs website, as set out on JNCC's official careers page.

What the role involves

The Ecosystems Analysis team helps JNCC's stakeholders manage the environment and the benefits it provides. It brings together long-term species survey partnerships, analysis and modelling, and an Earth observation data processing and analytical capability that turns satellite data into evidence on biodiversity and ecosystems.

As an Earth Observation Specialist, the successful candidate will help JNCC deploy habitat and feature mapping methods, develop products to detect change in habitat condition or management, and provide biophysical parameters for environmental modelling. The work will contribute to projects across the team and to projects led by other teams in JNCC.

The post will focus on Earth observation data analysis, working alongside analytical, data science and data infrastructure colleagues in the Ecosystems Analysis and Digital and Data Solutions teams. Recent work by the team and its partners includes national-scale habitat extent and change mapping, coastal habitat monitoring in a changing climate, indicators of urban blue and green space, and national indicators of woodland condition and young tree health. While much of the work is terrestrial, some work on marine environments is possible.

How to apply

The post will be managed by a Senior Earth Observation Specialist, and the successful candidate will work with other Earth observation specialists, modellers, analysts and surveillance experts. The role may require attendance at meetings and other events at locations across the UK and potentially internationally, involving overnight stays away from home.

Applicants should apply before 11.55pm on Sunday 22 November 2026 through Civil Service Jobs, where the full job description and person specification are published. JNCC says that if it receives a large volume of applications, it reserves the right to conduct the sift based on the lead technical criteria, including a strong understanding of Earth observation data and underlying principles and experience in applying recognised Earth observation modelling and classification approaches.