Scientists face research job cuts

A decision on job cuts could be made by spring 2006

Scores of research scientists are to lose their jobs as a top environmental advisory group plans to close four research centres across the UK.

The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology is to close sites at Banchory in Scotland, Winfrith in Dorset, Monks Wood in Cambridgeshire, and Oxford.

It says the restructuring could see 200 of its 600 staff made redundant.

Four sites - in Bangor, Edinburgh, Lancaster and Wallingford - will become the focus of the centre's work.

Structure 'unsustainable'

Its administrative headquarters will move from Swindon to Wallingford in Oxfordshire if the plans go ahead.

Consultation is currently being carried out on the proposed restructuring and a decision could be made next spring.

Job cuts will affect researchers and technical and administrative staff.

A spokeswoman for the Natural Environment Research Council, which runs the centres, said: "The council has recognised for some time that the current structure of the centre is unsustainable.

"The proposed reshaping would enable it to continue to deliver high quality research and environmental advice.

"The restructuring of the science teams would regrettably mean some redundancies, not only at the sites being closed but also at the retained sites where some of the science would be reduced or discontinued."

The centre offers independent advice on a range of environmental issues, including climate change.