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Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Ecologist

Stockfree Farming
UK and Republic of Ireland (hybrid with field-based travel)

Posted: 14 Oct 2025

Deadline: 28 Nov 2025

Compensation: £250 per half day

Paid Flexible hours Remote working

Job description

About Us:

Stockfree Farming is a Scottish-based charity that supports farmers and crofters across the UK and Ireland to transition from livestock agriculture into alternative forms of land management. Our mission is to improve climate resilience, environmental health, animal welfare, public health, and farmer wellbeing. We offer farmers and crofters a free, one-to-one support service that includes expert advice, business planning, access to funding opportunities, and end-market development.

The Role:

We are seeking an experienced ecologist to join our Stockfree Advisory Team, providing farmers and crofters with high-quality ecological support as they transition their land away from livestock systems.

This is an occasional, flexible engagement, best suited to someone already working in ecology, conservation, or land management who would like to contribute their expertise on a project-by-project basis. Advisors are deployed only when a farm requires their input as part of its transition.

Key Responsibilities:

Responsibilities will vary depending on the project, but are likely to include:

• Liaising with farmers, crofters and landowners, as well as Stockfree Farming staff.
• Conducting site visits to meet with farmers and crofters.
• Carrying out or coordinating ecological assessments and field surveys for a variety of habitats (e.g. grassland, peatland, woodland) to inform transition plans and funding applications.
• Providing advice on habitat restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and stockfree land management.
• Preparing and completing reports.
• Supporting data collection and mapping (GIS).
• Assisting with funding applications (e.g. government and private schemes) that require ecological input.

About You:

• A passion for ecosystem restoration and stockfree land management.
• Strong knowledge of varied habitats and how they can be managed and enhanced without livestock.
• Understanding and experience in applying to natural capital schemes e.g. Biodiversity Net Gain, Woodland Carbon Code, and Peatland Code.
• Experience applying to government subsidy schemes for ecosystem restoration.
• Fieldwork experience and familiarity with UK wildlife / habitat legislation.
• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.
• Flexibility to undertake occasional travel across the UK and Ireland.
• Experience using GIS software.
• Full UK driving license and access to a car for site visits.

Application information

How to Apply: To apply, please contact rebecca@stockfreefarming.org with a brief summary of your relevant experience and interest in the role.

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