Fisheries Science Advisor

About Seafish

Seafish is here to give the UK seafood sector the support it needs to thrive. Their work makes a huge difference. Seafish collaborates with a wide range of partners – from seafood businesses and trade bodies to government, regulators and environmental organisations – engaging in everything from research to campaigns, insight and training.

About the Supply Chain Resilience Team

The purpose of the team is to collect and collate data and insight and present it in an accessible, usable way so that the industry can make informed decisions. The team is made up of key skill sets across the supply chain from catch to plate.

How We Work

At Seafish there is a trust and performance culture. Performance driven results mean having autonomy and accountability in equal parts, so employees can work in the way that’s most effective for them, as long as they deliver their work to the expected standards. Each member has a personal development plan that outlines the objectives and competencies for their role and learning and development goals, along with regular catch-ups with their line manager, and mid-year and end of year reviews to discuss work and performance. Seafish has a hybrid working environment, with opportunities for staff to get together at internal conferences and events.

Job Role, Responsibilities and Relationships

Job Purpose

• Provide specialist input on fisheries science issues to inform robust stock assessment, data analysis and evidence synthesis, to underpin sustainable fisheries government and policy decision-making.
• Bridge science and policy by translating complex technical evidence into clear, actionable advice, supporting decision-makers and influencing the development of effective, evidence-based fisheries policy.
• Manage and support the delivery of fisheries science projects and associated stakeholder engagement activities with industry, government and scientific communities to deliver high-quality outcomes.

Dimensions & Accountabilities

• Apply specialist and technical fisheries science knowledge to support work programmes, technical reporting, and the development of scientific approaches and methods.
• Support organisational activities through the application of technical fisheries science expertise, ensuring effective communication across workstreams and providing scientific insight drawing on core ICES concepts (e.g. BLIM, recruitment), while adding value alongside existing government fisheries science functions.
• Act as a focal point for fisheries science advice and information sharing across the organisation.
• Manage the work related to ICES processes, stock assessment interpretation, and dissemination of stock advice to stakeholders.
• Provide informed, accessible scientific advice to industry stakeholders on fisheries science, stock status, and management issues.
• Respond to and advise on industry queries related to data-deficient stocks, ensuring consistent and evidence-based guidance.
• Undertake high-quality data analysis, applying robust statistical and analytical methods and ensuring high-quality outputs to support stock assessments and wider Seafish fisheries science programmes.
• Produce clear, accurate technical reports and undertake analytical work on fisheries science topics, applying robust methods to provide insight for industry, policy, and internal programmes.
• Respond to emerging or ad-hoc scientific requests, including undertaking Risk Assessments for Seafood Sourcing (RASS) and related analyses.

Planning & Organising

• Manage and support planning, organisation and delivery of Seafish’s fisheries science workstreams.
• Play a key role in the delivery of the fisheries engagement work area, working closely and providing line management and development support to the Fisheries Engagement Officer.
• Manage and deliver fisheries science projects end-to-end, coordinating analysis, reporting, stakeholder engagement, and internal collaboration to produce high-quality, evidence-based outputs.

Decision Making & Judgement

• Use of professional judgement and decision-making to plan and manage individual workstreams.
• Advanced fisheries science expertise with proven experience translating robust scientific analysis into effective fisheries management, policy, and research outcomes.

Essential Working Relationships & Stakeholder Engagement

External: colleagues across Cefas, Defra (Marine and Fisheries and NQS Team), MSC, and IFCAs, to integrate policy priorities when coordinating engagement activities; members of the science and research community including academics and consultants, to integrate scientific progress when coordinating engagement activities; and appropriate use of external resources.

Internal: reporting to the Head of Insights and Supply Chain Intelligence and working closely with them to support delivery of fisheries science programmes and objectives; collaborating with the Head of Team and colleagues to ensure outputs align with wider activities supporting UK seafood stakeholders; line management responsibility of the Fisheries Engagement Officer, providing day-to-day leadership and support; working collaboratively across other internal teams to support communication, coordination, and information sharing; and working collaboratively with the Fishing Gear Innovation Manager to maximise the benefits of emerging gear technologies and harness synergies between gear innovation and fisheries management/science.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

Technical and Scientific Expertise

• A degree in fisheries science, marine biology, or a related discipline (postgraduate level preferred), with hands-on post-qualification experience in fisheries-related work (research, data analysis, management, or policy).
• Strong expertise in fisheries science, including stock assessment methodologies, ecosystem-based management, and critical evaluation of scientific advice.
• Proven track record of applying scientific evidence to real-world fisheries management, policy development, or research programmes.

Research, Analysis and Evidence Synthesis

• Analytical and research skills, with the ability to interpret complex datasets, models, and scientific outputs.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesise evidence and translate it into clear, actionable insights for decision-making.
• Experience designing and developing high-quality research proposals and securing or managing funded projects.

Communication and Influencing with Impact

• Demonstrable ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to non-technical audiences, including policymakers and stakeholders.
• Highly developed report-writing skills, producing clear, authoritative, and policy-relevant guidance documents.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with experience engaging diverse stakeholder groups and building consensus across different interest groups.

Policy and Stakeholder Engagement

• Sound understanding of fisheries policy development processes and the integration of scientific evidence into policy frameworks.
• Experience working at the science–policy interface, supporting evidence-based decision-making.
• Proven ability to build, manage, and maintain effective multi-stakeholder networks, including industry, government, and scientific communities.

Project and Programme Management

• Strong project management capability, including planning, prioritisation, and delivery of multiple concurrent workstreams with minimal supervision.
• Experience leading or contributing to complex projects from concept through to delivery and evaluation.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage workload effectively and meet competing deadlines.

Professional and Operational Competence

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Access, Word and familiarity with data management and collaboration tools (e.g. SharePoint, Microsoft Teams), and experience with relevant analytical, statistical, or data management tools.

Desirable Experience

• Familiarity with aquaculture practices, regulatory frameworks and processes related to aquaculture would be desirable.
• Experience of working across academia building links to support policy development and implementation.
• Willingness to travel, including fieldwork and stakeholder engagement activities; full driving licence advantageous.

Competency Framework

Every role at Seafish is linked to the organisation’s bespoke competency framework. The competency levels for this role are: Growing Expertise – creates a learning and development environment; Embracing Change – leads and supports others through change; Building Relationships – builds effective teams to deliver corporate strategy; Achieving Results – builds effective teams to deliver corporate strategy; Influencing with Impact – communicates complex messages.

Salary and Benefits

All roles within Seafish are classified and have defined salary bands. This role sits within Job Family C in the pay structure, and the starting salary is £41,000. A new member’s appointment on the pay structure is dependent on the experience they bring to the role when they start; new candidates normally start at the lower end of the range unless they can demonstrate considerable experience in the requirements of the role.

Additional benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays and a wellbeing break when the organisation closes between Christmas and New Year (3 additional days).
• Optional five days per year paid volunteering leave for an activity of the employee’s choice.
• Trust and Performance culture – working in a way that suits the individual to get their work done to the expected standard.
• A generous employer pension scheme – Seafish doubles the employee’s contribution up to a maximum employer contribution of 10%.
• A range of health and wellbeing benefits including Cycle to Work scheme and Techscheme, life insurance including health and wellbeing support, gym discounts and eye care.
• An unlimited employee assistance scheme, a support service available 24/7, offering confidential, impartial advice on work, family, finance or other personal matters.
• A professional development culture with plenty of learning opportunities.
• Rewards for high performance each year.

How to Apply

To apply for the post, candidates should email their application to recruitment@seafish.co.uk, including “Fisheries Science Advisor” in the subject line of the email.

The application should include a covering letter or a short video explaining why the candidate is a suitable candidate; a recent copy of their CV; and a completed copy of Seafish’s recruitment consent form.

The deadline for applications is Friday 28 August 2026. Seafish encourages early applications, as it reserves the right to close the vacancy ahead of the advertised closing date if sufficient applications are received.

More information: https://www.seafish.org/about-us/working-with-us/fisheries-science-advisor/