Experimental Ecotoxicologist

UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Wallingford; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Pension plan

Health benefits

Hybrid working options

Wellbeing programmes

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology in Wallingford is seeking a motivated Ecotoxicologist for a 12-month maternity cover. You will lead aquatic ecotoxicity experiments, focusing on PFAS toxicity in Daphnia and other freshwater organisms, and support related bioassays as part of the Environmental Pollution team.

The role requires a PhD, independent and collaborative work, meticulous data recording and strong communication to project leads.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field.
• Experience designing, maintaining and conducting aquatic toxicity assays.
• Experience working independently and as part of a team.
• Meticulous, with strong data recording and documentation.
• Excellent time management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead aquatic ecotoxicity experiments focusing on PFAS toxicity in Daphnia and other freshwater organisms.
• Support ecotoxicity and bioaccumulation studies, PFAS exposure experiments in aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
• Prepare environmental and biological samples for chemical analysis and support molecular studies.
• Communicate experimental outputs effectively to project leads and manage tasks to deadlines.
• Collaborate across teams to deliver projects for funders and commercial customers.

Skills

Aquatic toxicity assays

Statistical analysis

Teamwork

Time management

Communication skills

Daphnia/Lumbriculus culture

PFAS knowledge

Education

PhD level qualification

Tools

Statistical software

Job description

Salary - £40,574 - £43,056 Depending on experience Full-time, on-site Location: Wallingford Role: 12-month Maternity cover Closing date: Monday 16 November 2026

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Ecotoxicologist to join our world-leading Environmental Pollution team on a 1-year maternity cover contract. The successful candidate will have strong practical ecotoxicology laboratory skills, experience in the culture and maintenance of organisms, and a keen interest in environmental science. In this role, you will support aquatic bioassays and ecotoxicology studies investigating the impacts of PFAS and other environmental pollutants on organisms. Working alongside technical specialists, scientists and project managers, you will contribute to the successful delivery of research projects, applying a critical approach to laboratory work, troubleshooting challenges, and helping to refine and improve methodologies. You will be responsible for managing your workload effectively, collaborating with colleagues and project partners, and contributing to the communication of UKCEH's research both internally and externally. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your skills and gain experience across a diverse range of environmental research projects, working within a collaborative team that delivers science with real-world impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of aquatic ecotoxicity experiments investigating PFAS toxicity, with particular focus on conducting toxicity assays on Daphnia, alongside other freshwater organisms such as Lumbriculus.
• Support other ecotoxicity and bioaccumulation studies, including laboratory and mesocosm PFAS exposure experiments with aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
• Prepare environmental and biological samples generated through PFAS exposure experiments for chemical analysis, and support sample preparation for complementary molecular and mechanistic studies.
• Contribute to the delivery of projects through effective written and oral communication of experimental outputs, while supporting project managers with the coordination of tasks and competing deadlines.
• Contribute as an active team member in the coordination and delivery of projects, primarily in the theme of aquatic ecotoxicology and PFAS, for research funders and commercial customers.

We're Looking for Someone Who

• Maintains high standards of laboratory organisation, culture maintenance and data recording, ensuring experimental activities are documented and communicated effectively to project leads and project teams.
• Provides regular updates on progress, results and any emerging issues to project leads.
• Presents progress updates within group or project meetings, as well as external meetings and conferences, as required.
• Participates in organisation-wide forums/schemes, as required.

Key Behaviours

• Excellence - Delivering world class science supporting global environmental challenges; valued by stakeholders, and meeting funder requirements
• Integrity - Maintaining the highest standards of research and professional ethics and impartiality
• Teamwork - Working together effectively with colleagues, partners and customers to achieve long-term success.

Essential skills

• PhD level qualification
• Experience designing, maintaining and conducting aquatic toxicity assays and analysing toxicity data using appropriate statistical approaches and software.
• Experience working independently as well as part of a team.
• A critical and meticulous approach to your work.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Excellent communication skills, including presenting updates on experiments and data interpretation to project lead/teams.

Desirable skills

• Hands- on experience culturing and conducting assays with Daphnia and Lumbriculus.
• Knowledge of PFAS.
• A full UK driving licence would be advantageous, as occasional fieldwork may be required.

Working at UKCEH is genuinely rewarding You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute, where your work will have real impact. Our science helps people and the environment to prosper and informs decisions that benefit society as a whole. We’re proud to be custodians of over 60 years of environmental data, and just as proud of the people behind it. You’ll be supported to develop your career, grow your skills and thrive in a collaborative, purpose-driven environment.

What we offer

• Generous annual leave - 27 days (rising to 29 days after 5 years) +3 for Christmas closure
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Financial protection through life assurance and income protection
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Flexible and hybrid working options (depending on your role)
• Lifestyle perks including dental, gym, retail and cycling discounts
• A commitment to wellbeing, supported by a range of internal initiatives
• Employee Assistance Programme and health benefits, including 24/7 support with remote GP access, mental health, physiotherapy and lifestyle services
• Peer recognition and rewards that celebrate your contribution
• Salary sacrifice agreement benefits including Electric & Plug-in Hybrid vehicle and Cycle2Work schemes
• Interest-free annual travel season ticket loans (terms apply)

Our commitment to inclusion At UKCEH, we believe everyone should feel welcome and able to be themselves at work. We warmly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. As a Disability Confident employer, we’re happy to support you with any adjustments you may need throughout the recruitment process.

Our approach to AI and applications We understand that candidates may use AI tools to support their application. We encourage you to ensure your submission reflects your own experience, skills and suitability for the role. Every application that meets the essential criteria will be reviewed by our recruitment panel. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role, and the role is not eligible for endorsement under the Global Talent visa route. If you already have, or intend to obtain, the right to work in the UK through another visa route that does not require UKCEH sponsorship, please tell us in your application.

Here you can explore the kind of roles we recruit for, search our latest vacancies, learn more about what it's like to work at UKCEH, and find out about the many benefits of joining our team. Every one of our 600+ staff and 50+ postgraduate students plays a vital role in delivering our ambition to understand the environment and the human impact on it, so that together people and nature can prosper. How we work is just as important as what we achieve. We want UKCEH to be a welcoming, inclusive, engaging and collaborative place to work. We embed our values - excellence, integrity and teamwork - into everything we do. For further information, please visit the UKCEH Website.