Senior Marine & Coastal Process Specialist

ABPmer is a marine consultancy and survey company which has been supporting clients across the UK and overseas for over 75 years.  We are recognised for our professionalism, technical ability, and emphasis on service excellence.  Often considered thought-leaders in their fields, our people provide solutions to even the most challenging project.

Our wide range of marine services are delivered to a diverse range of clients, representing all sectors working in the coastal and marine environment.  We offer consultancy and survey roles across a wide range of marine specialisms, from hydrographic surveyors and numerical modellers to marine policy and consenting specialists, maritime risk practitioners, marine ecologists, and habitat creation experts.

Role: Senior Marine & Coastal Process Specialist

Location: Southampton (hybrid, flexible / remote considered)

Closing date: 12 June 2026 (advert may close earlier when we have received sufficient applications)

Contract: Initial 12‑month appointment (maternity cover) with strong potential for extension

Shape the future of the UK’s coast and marine environment

Do you want to apply your coastal and marine processes expertise to nationally significant offshore wind, port and coastal infrastructure projects? Are you motivated by using science to influence how the UK’s coast is developed, protected and restored in the face of climate change and Net Zero ambitions?

ABPmer is seeking an experienced marine and coastal Processes specialist and numerical modeller to play a leading role in the delivery of high‑profile marine energy, port and coastal projects around the UK.

About us

We are ABPmer, a specialist marine consultancy and survey company dedicated to understanding one of the most complex environments on earth.

• Involved in offshore wind since the earliest UK projects, we have supported the majority of UK OWFs through assessment, consenting and operation.
• As part of ABP Group, we work on port developments around the UK, from early feasibility, delivering NSIPs to operational support.
• We are industry leaders in marine and coastal habitat creation, partnering with NGOs, regulators and government agencies to design and assess nature‑based solutions.

Known for our technical excellence, professionalism and service quality, we have been helping clients sustainably manage and develop in the marine environment for over 75 years.

Discover more https://www.abpmer.co.uk/who-we-are/.

Your role

As a Senior Marine and Coastal Processes Specialist, you will lead and shape coastal and marine physical process assessments for complex and innovative developments across the marine and coastal sectors. 

You will be applying your skills and expertise to all marine sectors from marine energy projects, port and coastal infrastructure, cables and pipelines, marine aggregates and habitat creation schemes. The role combines hands‑on technical work with senior technical direction, client engagement and mentoring. 

This position suits someone who wants to be a trusted technical adviser, with real influence over project approach, methodology and outcomes.

What you will do

You will:

• Lead and review marine and coastal processes assessments including numerical modelling studies, EIA chapters and specialist technical assessments
• Provide expert advice on hydrodynamics, waves, sediment transport and seabed mobility
• Undertake and oversee bathymetric change and morphological analysis
• Apply numerical modelling of waves, hydrodynamics and/or sediment transport (or review model outputs)
• Provide technical direction, mentoring and support to less experienced colleagues
• Contribute to project management, proposals and client engagement
• Help shape best practice, innovation and internal research and development

About you

You will bring:

• A strong background in physical oceanography, coastal or estuarine processes
• A degree (and ideally a postgraduate qualification) in a relevant discipline
• Experience in delivering numerical modelling studies (MIKE preferable)
• Relevant experience from marine consultancy, developer, regulatory or applied research roles
• Confidence applying science to real‑world infrastructure and environmental challenges

You are comfortable:

• Interpreting and synthesising complex marine datasets
• Applying coastal, estuarine and shelf‑sea process understanding to assessments
• Communicating clearly and effectively with clients, regulators and multidisciplinary teams

Experience in water or sediment quality is desirable but not essential.

What this role offers you

• A senior technical role delivering a diverse range of marine and coastal projects
• The opportunity to influence how coastal science is applied in practice
• Scope to contribute to innovation, research and service development
• A supportive culture focused on quality, learning and professional progression
• Flexible, hybrid working with remote options considered

Location and working arrangements

Our offices are based at Town Quay, Southampton, with outstanding views over Southampton Water.
We recognise the importance of work‑life balance and offer flexible, hybrid working with remote options considered.

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, flexible working, pension and generous leave allowance, as part of ABP Group our benefits are designed to support your well‑being, development and life outside work.  These include a range of health and employee discount offers.

Find out more about our benefits package https://careers.abports.co.uk/content/What-we-offer/?locale=en_GB

Interested?

If you are a coastal or marine processes specialist looking to apply your expertise where it truly matters, we would love to hear from you.

Additional Information:

When joining ABP you will find an environment that is both welcoming and challenging. We reward our employees well and offer a generous remuneration package, employer pension, private health insurance and a range of other benefits.

Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero-tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.

As part of our recruitment process, all successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment screening to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Please note your consent will be required and further information on this check can be found using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels