Senior Coastal Scientist

Mott MacDonald

Location:  Southampton

Recruiter contact: Ainsley Anstess

We’re a global engineering, management, and development consultancy. 
Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities. 

A fundamental part of this is respecting each person’s differences and striving to meet their needs. 

We are proud to be a one of Glassdoor’s top employers to work for in the UK, as well as being recognised as a Top Inclusive Company in the UK.

Our values: Progress, Respect, Integrity, Drive, Excellence. 

About the business unit 
We help conceive, drive, and implement transport solutions for cities, regions, and asset owners/operators around the globe. From preparing the business case and​ advising on related issues - such as revenue, procurement, and environmental legislation - to delivering the completed infrastructure and helping maintain it. Our planning, engineering, environmental and management skills cover the whole project cycle. We play a major role in developing and delivering the Global Transport Sector Strategy.

Job description:

As a key member of the Ports, Coastal and Offshore (PCO) team, you will influence the success of our maritime projects by contributing to outcomes which exceed our clients’ expectations. We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated Senior Coastal Scientist to lead and support projects focused on coastal ecosystem management, shoreline resilience, and climate adaptation. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in coastal processes, ecological restoration, and data-driven decision-making to guide multidisciplinary teams and inform policy and planning efforts.

The ideal candidate will play a key role in supporting the leadership and future direction of the coastal team, providing mentorship to more junior members of the team and supporting business development and bidding as well as providing technical leadership and project management of deliverables

Candidate specification:

Essential criteria:

• Master’s degree or PhD. in Coastal Science, Marine Biology, Oceanography, Environmental Science, or related field.
• Demonstrable professional experience in coastal research, management, or consulting.
• Proficiency in GIS, knowledge/ experience of remote sensing, and coastal modelling tools (e.g., Delft3D, SWAN, ADCIRC) advantageous.
• Demonstrated leadership in complex, interdisciplinary projects.
• Ideally chartered with a relevant professional body
• Familiarity with climate adaptation planning and policy.

As we want the best people for the role, it is available as part time, job share or full time. This is because we recognise that sometimes people are not available full time.

Job Profile:
Mott MacDonald is one of the global leaders advising a broad range of clients in the planning, design and construction of coastal and offshore infrastructure across an array of size and type. This extends to all stages in the project cycle, from developing innovative coastal erosion business cases and feasibility studies to structural defences and environmental enhancements, and then onto construction supervision. We work across the world including the Caribbean, North America, Middle East, Asia and Africa, as well as in the UK. We strive to ensure we provide our clients with the most sustainable solutions, with the UN Sustainable Development Goals forming the heart of what we do.

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Equality, diversity and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute. 

If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can assist.

Agile working 

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team and personal commitments. We embrace agility, flexibility and trust.