Job Description

Job Posting Title:

Restoration Forth Intern (2 positions)

Grade and Salary:

Grade 3 23,350 - 24,215

FTE and working pattern:

Full Time (1FTE), Internship (up to 8 weeks)

About our Team

Restoration Forth is a major collaborative project restoring European flat oysters and seagrass in the Firth of Forth. Once home to one of the largest oyster reefs in the Northeast Atlantic, the Firth lost its native oysters by the early 1900s. Their return will improve biodiversity, enhance water quality, and support carbon sequestration.


Community involvement is central, with extensive volunteering, citizen science, and educational outreach.

Purpose of Role

As a Restoration Forth Intern, you will be embedded within the

Marine Environmental Enhancement Team (MEET)

aEUR" a leading research group with over a decade of pioneering work in oyster restoration. You'll work closely with

Dr Naomi Kennon

and contribute directly to ongoing restoration efforts, scientific monitoring, and community engagement.


This is a rare opportunity to:


Gain hands-on fieldwork experience Develop your scientific skills and confidence Contribute to a high-profile ecosystem restoration project Work with partners such as WWF and the Marine Conservation Society Build a strong foundation for future employment in applied marine science/ marine conservation
Are you passionate about the marine environment? Keen to gain hands-on experience in one of the fastest-growing fields in conservation?


Heriot-Watt University is offering

two full-time paid internships

with the community focused Restoration Forth project , an exciting opportunity to help restore native oysters in the Firth of Forth and help build the skills you need for a career in marine restoration/conservation.
This internship is open to anyone with a passion for the marine environment and an interest in developing their career in marine conservation or science, while gaining valuable hands-on experience.

Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities

During this internship, you will develop skills and contribute to:


Monitoring oyster deployment outcomes (survival and growth) Day-to-day marine restoration work Biosecurity for oyster movements Supporting and enriching volunteer and citizen science activities Outreach and engagement with communities, partner organisations, and corporate groups Scientific writing, communication, and development of your own small "pet projectaEUR?
You'll also gain exposure to supply chain management, shellfish biosecurity and restoration field techniques.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

Good communication and interpersonal skills Enthusiasm for marine conservation Strong academic record (e.g. BSc Hons.) or Equivalent work experience Data-handling skills (databases, spreadsheets, GIS, statistics) Ability to work well in a team and show initiative Reasonable physical fitness (fieldwork can be demanding) Willingness to undertake fieldwork and near-shore boat work Happy to work outside in a range of weather conditions Meticulous approach to scientific work Full UK driving licence (or equivalent) Experience in scientific writing; fluent English

Desirable:

Experience in aquaria or aquatic animal husbandry Experience working at sea or on the shore Experience using R Diving qualifications (CMAS 3, Dive Master, Dive Leader, etc.)
Interest in generating scientific outputs or communications

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter (2) Full CV


Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on

Monday 12th January 2026

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.aEUR


Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.aEURaEUR


Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.aEURaEUR


Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our websiteaEUR https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm aEURand also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science CareersaEUR https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ aEUR


We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.