Senior Scientific Officer – Aquaculture

About the Role

This is a pivotal opportunity to drive meaningful reform in one of the UK’s fastest-growing yet largely unregulated farmed animal sectors. Aquaculture lacks specific legal frameworks to protect farmed fish, and that’s where you come in. As Senior Scientific Officer for Aquaculture, you’ll be the champion these animals deserve—developing and evolving welfare standards for Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout that set the benchmark for excellence both nationally and internationally.

Based in a hybrid arrangement (at least one day per month in the RSPCA’s Horsham office, West Sussex), you’ll work a standard 35-hour week Monday to Friday within the Science and Policy Group’s Farm Animals Department. This is a permanent role with genuine scope to influence policy, industry practice, and animal welfare at the highest levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Write and continuously evolve the RSPCA’s higher welfare standards for Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout, ensuring they remain at the leading edge of best practice and drive positive change across the sector
• Provide technical expertise and support to RSPCA Assured, the charity’s farm assurance scheme, safeguarding standards for both salmon and trout production
• Represent the RSPCA at Parliament, international conferences, and in media engagement, championing farmed fish welfare on a global stage
• Engage strategically with key retailers, government bodies, international NGOs (including Eurogroup for Animals), and industry stakeholders to push the boundaries of what’s achievable in fish welfare
• Explore and implement new technologies and innovations to ensure the RSPCA remains at the forefront of improving farmed fish welfare
• Provide thought leadership and technical guidance to national and international stakeholders seeking to improve aquaculture practices

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of farmed fish production and welfare (essential)
• Hands-on, practical experience working with farm animals in a commercial environment
• Proven project management experience
• Demonstrated experience developing welfare or assurance standards
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and influencing skills
• Experience presenting to media, government bodies, and large-scale conferences
• Self-motivated, determined mindset with a genuine passion for creating lasting change for farmed animals
• Legal right to work in the UK (the RSPCA cannot sponsor visas)
• Successful candidates will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Benefits

• Competitive salary: £30,247–£35,585 per annum
• 35-hour working week (full-time, Monday–Friday)
• 25 days annual leave
• Defined benefit pension scheme
• Healthcare cash plan
• Life assurance
• Occupational sick pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Family-friendly policies
• Dog-friendly workplace
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discount schemes
• Professional development and training support

About the Practice

The RSPCA is the world’s oldest animal welfare charity, working across England and Wales for the benefit of every animal—whether companion, wild, farmed, or used in science. The Science and Policy Group sits at the heart of the organisation’s mission to create systemic, lasting change for animals. The Farm Animals Department within this group leads the charge in improving welfare standards for farmed species, including the critically underregulated aquaculture sector.

The role sits within a dedicated team of farm animal welfare experts who are committed to evidence-based policy, rigorous standard-setting, and strategic advocacy. You’ll be part of an organisation with the credibility and platform to influence policy at the highest levels—from Parliament to international conferences—and the resources to see real-world impact across the food industry.