Catchment Scientist

idibu; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Health and wellbeing benefits

Cycle to Work scheme

Life assurance

Holiday: 26-30 days

Job summary

Thames Water is seeking a Catchment Scientist to protect water quality from catchment sources. You will gather and analyse data, interpret large datasets, and support project delivery with farmers and advisors. You’ll present findings to teams, draft agreements, and monitor progress against regulatory requirements.

The role involves site visits, writing reports, and collaboration with external partners. Hybrid working from Reading with a weekly office presence.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Experience presenting to groups with confidence.
• Experience analysing and interpreting data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good presentation skills.
• Full driving licence and own vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Gather and analyse data for technical discussions.
• Analyse large catchment datasets and interpret trends.
• Record and score fund applications, draft agreements, track activity.
• Liaise with farmers and attend events.
• Present data to internal and external groups as required.
• Assist with design of activities and projects.
• Track delivery by agricultural advisors.
• Deliver catchment management activities to protect water quality.
• Liaise with stakeholders and produce regulator reports.
• Desk-based risk assessment of pollution impacts on abstractions.

Skills

Data analysis

Public speaking

Written/verbal comms

Driving licence

Education

Degree in environmental science or related

Tools

GIS

Catchment management

Project management

Agricultural knowledge

Job description

The Catchment Projects team aims to protect water quality at its source by addressing risks in the catchment to reduce our reliance on drinking water treatment processes.

We work to understand farming practices, develop and deliver projects that support positive change on farm and engage with the farming community. We also build strong partnerships with specialist organisations that help deliver our schemes to achieve lasting improvements in water quality.

We're looking for Catchment Scientists to join the team to help drive this important work forward.

What you’ll be doing as a Catchment Scientist:

• Gather and analyse data to input into relevant technical discussions
• Work to analyse large catchment datasets, including water quality and land use, and interpret trends
• Recording and scoring Catchment Fund applications, drafting agreements and tracking delivery of farmer activity
• Liaising with farmers
• Attending and presenting at farmer events
• Present data and narrative to internal and external groups as required
• Assist with design of activities and projects
• Tracking project delivery by third party agricultural advisors
• Delivery of catchment management activities to protect drinking water quality, including Water Industry National Environment Programme investigations and schemes, and others including DWI notices, to meet regulatory requirements
• Liaison and relationship-building with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, raising awareness of and progressing our work
• Production of written reports for submission to regulators
• Desk-based risk assessment of potential impact of pollution incidents on abstraction points

Base location

Hybrid – Clearwater Court, Reading. It is a requirement to come into the office at least once a week.

Working pattern or hours

36 hours a week, Monday to Friday

To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need are:

• Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. environmental science, geography, geology, agriculture, animal science, etc.)
• Experience and confidence presenting in person to groups
• Experience analysing and interpreting data
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Good presentation skills
• Driving licence and own vehicle

Additional skills, experiences and knowledge that would be great to have/bring:

• GIS skills and experience
• Catchment management experience
• Project management experience
• Agricultural knowledge

What’s in it for you?

• A salary of £35,000 to £40,000 per annum, depending on experience
• 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for our taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job, and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats or anything else, just let us know; we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.