Salary - £31,942 to £38,898
Hybrid working (50/50)
Wallingford
Permanent
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.

UKCEH is looking for a Website Developer to join our collaborative team within our Biodiversity science area.

This is more than a technical role. We’re particularly keen to hear from people who bring genuine curiosity, passion, and enthusiasm for environmental challenges and conservation. Your work will help support the collection and sharing of data that underpins vital biodiversity research and informs policy - from national indicators to long-term ecological understanding.

You’ll work as part of the Biological Records Centre (BRC), contributing to how large-scale biodiversity data is captured, visualised and shared. This is an opportunity to be part of something meaningful: enabling citizen science at scale and helping people across the UK contribute to understanding and protecting the natural world. In this role, you’ll support the development and maintenance of this infrastructure, working alongside developers, researchers, and technical specialists across UKCEH.

You’ll provide support for Indica tools and associated mobile applications and websites

used in nationally important programmes such as iRecord (https://irecord.org.uk/) the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS; https://ukbms.org/) the National Plant Monitoring Scheme (NPMS; https://www.npms.org.uk), and the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (UK PoMS; https://ukpoms.org.uk/).

You’ll also play an active role in enhancing BRC’s web-based platforms to support UKCEH’s science, helping ensure they are robust, secure, and user-friendly. It’s a role that blends technical delivery with collaboration and problem-solving, where you’ll learn by doing and grow your skills in a supportive team environment.

Your main responsibilities will include:

Developing and maintaining web applications and platforms that support environmental research

Translating scientific and technical requirements into practical, user-friendly web solutions

Ensuring web services are robust, secure, and scalable

Collaborating with researchers and stakeholders to design intuitive digital tools

Identifying and solving technical challenges with curiosity and creativity

Keeping up to date with emerging technologies and best practice in web development

As one of our Web Developers, you’ll play a key role in supporting and maintaining the digital infrastructure that underpins our citizen science work. We’re looking for someone with a genuine interest in environmental issues, who’s motivated by contributing to something meaningful. In return, this is a role where you’ll genuinely grow. You’ll develop new technical skills, gain hands-on experience in a collaborative IT and development environment, and build your expertise in tools such as content management systems and GIS/spatial data.

There’s plenty to get stuck into, so we’re looking for someone who enjoys

working alongside dedicated researchers and is energised by learning. You’ll primarily work alongside experienced developers, receiving mentoring and hands-on training as you build your confidence across key technologies. You’ll be comfortable picking up new skills quickly and applying them in practice. You’ll be someone who can take direction when needed, while also showing initiative and confidence to work independently and keep things moving forward.

For the role of Web Developer, we’re looking for somebody who has:

A degree in web development, software engineering, or a related IT field (or equivalent experience that demonstrates your capability and initiative

Strong technical skills across relevant technologies such as PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Drupal CMS, and database management

Experience designing, building, and improving web applications that deliver real value to users

An understanding of health, safety, and environmental considerations, particularly in relation to web-based data

An adaptable, solutions-focused mindset, with

a track record of technical problem-solving and continuous improvement

The ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks effectively in a busy environment

A talent for translating complex scientific or technical requirements into clear, user-friendly web solutions

Confidence communicating technical concepts to non-technical audiences, helping ideas land and make an impact

If you’re motivated to build a career in web development, excited by learning new skills, and want your work to contribute to environmental impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply Today – Supporting Statement Questions

If this role excites you and fits with your career goals, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your CV along with responses to the questions below. Your answers should highlight the qualifications, skills, and experience most relevant to this role. Provide up to 150 words per question, using specific examples to demonstrate your personal contribution and impact. Please do not submit a separate cover letter.

Supporting Statement Questions (2–3 maximum, confirm word limit: 300-500 words)

Can you describe your experience developing or maintaining web applications, and the technologies you have used (e.g. PHP, JavaScript or other programming languages, HTML, CSS, CMS platforms or databases, GitHub)

Tell us about a time you translated complex or technical requirements into a practical, user-friendly solution. How did you ensure it met user needs?

This role involves supporting citizen science platforms such as iRecord and working across multiple priorities. How do you organise your workload and approach problem-solving when managing competing tasks or technical challenges?

You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that’s committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.

Working for UKCEH is rewarding

We appreciate the continuous dedication and contributions of our staff, which is why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes financial incentives and wellbeing-oriented perks, such as:

27 days annual leave (rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service) plus 3 days for Christmas closure

10% employer pension contribution

Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (role dependant)

Peer reward and recognition scheme

Dental insurance, gym/fitness discounts, retail discount portal

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

24-hour, 365-day support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues and much more...

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At UKCEH, we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and circumstances. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from neurodivergent candidates and people with disabilities, and

we’re happy to provide adjustments or support at any stage of the recruitment process - just let us know. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we’d love to hear from you anyway. You may be just the right fit for this role or another within our wider team.

Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.

Web Developer

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