Laboratory and Field Research Scientist

Requirements

• A degree; Masters or

Benefits

Additional Information

Salary - £33,284 to £35,322 Permanent We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early. About UKCEH UKCEH is a leading independent research institute with over 600 scientists studying how the natural world works. We take a connected approach across land, water and air to understand environmental systems and build resilience for people and the planet. About This Role We're looking for a Lab and Field Research Scientist to join our Water Quality & Catchment Processes team - a well-established, nationally recognised group known for delivering high-impact environmental research. This is an opportunity to take your first step into a role that will challenge, support and grow your scientific potential. As part of our wider Water & Climate Science area, you won't just be supporting projects - you'll be contributing to meaningful, NERC-funded research at the forefront of environmental chemistry and freshwater science. This opportunity is ideal for a recent graduate who already has some practical experience and is ready to build on a strong foundation . If you're naturally curious, motivated by real-world impact, and enjoy thinking beyond individual data points to understand how entire systems connect, you'll feel right at home. We're looking for someone who can see the "big picture ", someone who understands how their work contributes to healthier ecosystems and more sustainable communities. You'll be guided by our Senior Environmental Chemist, a highly experienced and well-connected leader who is passionate about supporting early-career scientists. From day one, you'll be encouraged to develop your skills, deepen your knowledge, and grow your confidence within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team that includes internationally recognised experts. As part of a world-leading independent research institute, you'll gain hands-on experience across both laboratory and field environments. Whether your interests lie in biogeochemistry, freshwater science, or wider interdisciplinary research, you'll have the chance to explore, learn, and broaden your expertise through exposure to cutting-edge science and innovative approaches. In this role, you'll play an active part in research and monitoring projects that investigate the sources, movement and impacts of nutrients, pollutants and other pressures affecting rivers, lakes and catchments. Your work will be varied and engaging - spanning fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and data handling. You'll help collect high-quality samples and measurements, process and analyse them with care and precision, and contribute to outputs that inform project teams, partners and funders. From conducting river and lake sampling to deploying and maintaining water quality sensors and auto-samplers , you'll gain valuable practical skills in the field. In the lab oratory , you'll carry out nutrient and water-quality analysis, while also supporting experimental studies such as algal growth, mesocosm and in-river research. Alongside this, you'll build your analytical experience by contributing to data checks, basic analysis, visualisations, reports, and - where appropriate - scientific papers and high-quality datasets. Your main responsibilities will include: Planning and carrying out hands-on fieldwork across rivers, lakes and catchments, collecting high-quality chemical and biological samples Operating, calibrating and maintaining field equipment such as water-quality sensors, probes and auto-samplers Analysing nutrients and water quality in the laboratory Supporting laboratory, mesocosm, algal growth or in-river experiments, including preparation, monitoring, sample collection and data recording. Checking, formatting and collating data so it is accurate , reliable and ready for use by project teams Preparing simple figures, tables and summaries for project reports, presentations, web material, data submissions and scientific papers. Contributing ideas and practical solutions to scientific and technical challenges Collaborating with scientists, technicians and project managers to deliver impactful research Supporting field planning, risk assessments, equipment preparation and day-to-day laboratory operations Take a look at some of the exciting and impactful projects you could be involved in as part of the team at UKCEH: Micro-Cycle - advancing our understanding of microbial processes in environmental systems: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=NE%2FZ000173%2F1 SMARTWATER - developing innovative solutions to manage and improve water quality: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=NE%2FX018865%2F1 BIOPOLE - a collaborative initiative driving sustainable land use and environmental resilience: https://biopole.ac.uk/ The River Thames Initiative - a long-standing citizen science programme monitoring the health of one of the UK's most iconic rivers: The River Thames Initiative

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