Marine Taxonomist

All locations
  • Oban, United Kingdom
  • Gloucester, United Kingdom
  • Plymouth, United Kingdom
Business:
Life Sciences
Contract type:
Permanent Employee
Job ID:
7249
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Overview

About us

We are the independent expert in assurance and risk management. Driven by our purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, we empower our customers and their stakeholders with facts and reliable insights so that critical decisions can be made with confidence.

As a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful organizations, we use our knowledge to advance safety and performance, set industry benchmarks, and inspire and invent solutions to tackle global transformations.

About Life Sciences

 

We help our customers in medical devices, healthcare, and aquaculture/ocean industries build trust and transparency across their products, assets, and supply chains. By working with customers to certify medical technologies, support safe and sustainable healthcare practices, and advance responsible aquaculture and ocean stewardship, we help manage risks, meet regulatory demands, and achieve long-term goals. Drawing on deep technical expertise, we partner with customers worldwide to bridge trust gaps between patients, providers, producers, and consumers—driving sustainable results and improved ESG performance.

About the role

We are looking for Marine Benthic Taxonomists to join our Ocean Ecology team in Oban, Plymouth or Gloucester. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to be involved in a full range of sample processing and wider laboratory activities including elutriation, sorting, identification, enumeration and bio massing of benthic species from intertidal, coastal and deep-water environments.

We welcome applications from candidates at all levels of experience, from early-career professionals to experienced specialists.

WHY OCEAN ECOLOGY?

We are a leading marine environmental consultancy providing trusted survey, technical and advisory services to organisations shaping and governing the global blue economy. We are part of DNV, a global assurance and risk management company and a leading classification society to the maritime industry, enabling us to extend our reach, capability and client base across the UK and internationally.

Ocean Ecology sits within DNV’s Life Sciences business area, bringing together expertise across aquaculture and ocean health, healthcare, and medical technologies into a focused global platform. Within this, we play a key role in delivering independent environmental science and assurance across marine and coastal environments.

Our work is aligned with DNV’s purpose — to safeguard life, property, and the environment — providing trusted marine environmental services for responsible development and governance.

What we offer

These new roles will provide unique opportunities to work in and help shape a growing and dynamic organisation alongside a team of passionate marine scientists. We offer industry competitive salaries commensurate with experience, with associated benefits including private health options, extensive training opportunities and a flexible working policy.

DNV is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to gender, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, cultural background, social group, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age or political opinion. Diversity is fundamental to our culture and we invite you to be part of this diversity.

About you

Ideally applicants should have:

  • A BSc degree in marine biology (or similar marine related discipline)
  • A clear and demonstrable passion for marine science
  • A conscientious and enthusiastic attitude
  • An appreciation of the need to work to tight timeframes within a commercial laboratory setting

Other desirable skills/experience include:

  • Professional or post-graduate experience in the field of marine taxonomy
  • Experience in identification of macrobenthic and epibenthic species found in the NE Atlantic
  • Experience in analysis and interpretation of seabed imagery
  • Experience in zooplankton, phytoplankton and/or freshwater invertebrate identification
  • Experience working to recognized quality control scheme standards (e.g. NMBAQC)
  • Experience in identification of macrobenthic species from tropical, sub-tropical and/or deep-water environments

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

This position can be based at any of our laboratory locations in Oban, Gloucester, or Plymouth. Please note that candidates must have an existing right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application deadline 31.08.26.

*Please note we may close this position earlier in case of finding successful candidates.

Security and compliance with statutory requirements in the countries in which we operate is essential for DNV. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates as part of the offer process, in accordance with applicable country-specific laws and practices.

Benefits

Please note, benefits may depend on your contract type, please confirm with your recruiter.

Profit Share

You’ll be part of our global profit share scheme that means we all share in our success as a business. If we profit, so do you. This will be part of our Total Compensation approach each year and depends on our year-end results.

Personal Development

You’ll have a lot of opportunities to learn and grow. Whether it’s building your network, having resources to plan and realise your career goals or enjoying genuine freedom to satisfy your curiosity, we’ll make sure you’re always growing and developing.

Purpose-led organization

You become part of a world-leading company where we know and live our purpose; to safeguard life, property, and the environment, with the opportunity to tackle global change through your work.

Hybrid Work Model

We work in a hybrid model (three days from the office) and have flexible starting hours. This means you can fit your work and life together in a way that works for you.

Pension Schemes

We care about your long-term financial security and prioritise pension and retirement benefits to reflect our caring values. Through our pension scheme, we will contribute up to 9% of salary in addition to your contributions.

Annual Leave

As a full-time employee, you’ll be entitled to 26 days of annual leave a year, plus 8 paid bank/public holidays. Special leave can also be granted for bereavement, caring responsibilities, volunteering and sabbaticals.

Family Friendly Leave

We offer enhanced leave to support you through various stages of starting and growing a family. Our enhanced paid leave entitlement includes Fertility Treatment, Neonatal Care, Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Shared Parental leaves.

Personal insurances

To support you with some of life's challenges, we offer a range of insurance benefits. These include Private Medical, Dental, Life and Income Protection insurances.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At DNV, our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is not only an ethical choice, but also a business decision.

Diversity, fairness, and a sense of belonging are a source of strength for our people, our business, and our customers, and help us to deliver on our purpose, vision, and values.

Learn more

Working here

Since 1864 we’ve been dedicated to safeguarding life, property and the environment. Today we remain at the forefront of new technologies and techniques to help our customers transform for a more sustainable future.

At DNV you can expect to deliver career and industry defining work. You’ll be given the time to build your network, the resources to support your development, and the freedom to satisfy your curiosity and desire to learn.

Learn more

Application Process

FAQs

Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions page. We’ve put together answers to the questions we’re asked most often to help you find the information you need quickly and easily. Whether you're curious about our recruitment process, benefits or career growth and development, you should find the information below.

How can I find job openings that fit my skills and interests?

Explore our official job search page where you can use filters such as job type, location, and department to find roles that best match your qualifications and career aspirations.

What’s your application process like?

You can apply directly through our careers page by submitting your CV and any other documents we require (i.e. university diplomas/transcripts; visas; previous employment reference letters). Make sure your application is fully completed, and you tailor it to the specific job listing. 

Is your recruitment process designed to be inclusive and accessible?

Yes, it is. We're an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all candidates. We’re happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. Share the details of what you need within your application.

What types of interviews might I undergo?

Depending on your role, our interview process may include initial phone screenings, video conferences, and in-person interviews, focusing on both your technical abilities and our shared values. You can ask your recruiter specifically about the interview process for your role. 

How long does the hiring process typically take from application to decision?

The timeline can vary but we make every effort to reply to each candidate as soon as possible and keep everyone up-to-date with where they are in the recruitment process.

How do I know if a recruitment contact is legitimately from your company?

Official communication will come from our verified company email addresses. Carefully check any suspicious looking emails and if you have any doubts, don’t engage.

Are there any fees involved in your recruitment process?

No, we do not charge any fees at any stage of our recruitment process. All applications and interviews are free of charge, we will never ask you to pay any fees or make any payments – please be wary of any requests for payment as these are likely scams.

What should I do if I suspect a job scam?

If you encounter suspicious job postings or recruitment practices, do not provide personal information and contact your recruiter as soon as possible. We take these matters seriously. We will never ask you to pay any fees or make any payments part of our recruitment process.

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Disclaimer

Please beware of recruitment scams that pretend to be from DNV or its employees. We will never ask you to pay any fees or make any payments as part of our recruitment process.