Graduate Environmental Scientist - EIA (Edinburgh)

Jacobs; Scotland; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering and environmental consultancy is seeking a Graduate Scientist in Edinburgh. This role involves planning fieldwork, assisting in river restoration, and contributing to environmental assessments. Candidates should be pursuing a relevant degree and have the right to work in the UK. The position offers excellent career prospects and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Flexible workstyle

Free single medical cover

Reimbursement for professional development

Qualifications

• Working towards a relevant Degree or Master’s level qualification in environmental science.
• Must have the permanent right to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Planning and carrying out fieldwork, including River Condition Surveys.
• Assisting with Fluvial Audits and Stream Reconnaissance Surveys.
• Writing concise and logical reports.

Skills

Flexible self-starter

Adaptable to change

Willingness to learn

Education

Relevant Degree or Master’s in environmental science

Job description

Overview

Market Environmental

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Join the Jacobs Graduate Development Programme (GDP) and have a meaningful, positive impact on our environments, communities and societies. Bring your passion, your ingenuity and your vision. Let’s see the impact we can create, together.

What will you get?

Our Graduate Development Programme is a structured two-year scheme designed to support your development at the start of your Jacobs career journey. Through a combination of blended learning, mentoring, progress reviews and networking, you will establish yourself as knowledgeable and competent across four key focus areas: human skills, consulting skills, champion our strategy and your passions.

The GDP allows you to customise your learning journey to reflect your specific interests, career goals, and technical skillset – creating a graduate experience that is unique to you.

The GDP is an on-the-job experience programme, meaning a large portion of what you’ll learn will be on-the-job. You’ll work with your manager and mentor to collect the learning experiences that will be most meaningful for you.

The programme is more than just a steppingstone. It’s a launchpad for your career, offering you the tools, experiences and support you need. Join us and unlock your potential as you work on meaningful projects and collaborate with industry leaders to deliver outcomes and solutions for complex challenges.

About the opportunity

Our Water and Environment Business Unit provides a focus for advising our clients on River Engineering and Flood Risk Management solutions including flood defence structures, weirs, gates, sluices, flood storage reservoirs, natural flood management, habitat creation, hydrometric gauging facilities and fish passes. Our integrated Water Catchment Management team comprises in excess of 400 staff based in the UK and Europe, but with reach into the Middle East, Australasia and America. The Water Catchment Management team has a diverse portfolio of projects with a key focus on flood risk management for the Environment Agency and other Local Authorities. The team work across sectors in integrated catchment management to deliver sustainable environmental solutions.

To meet our growing UK business needs and future development aspirations we are looking for a Graduate Scientist to join our Water Science team. The successful applicant will support a range of projects for clients in major public and private sector organisations and will become part of a respected and ambitious company with excellent career prospects including international opportunities.

Key tasks will include:

• Planning and carrying out fieldwork, including River Condition Surveys as part of wider Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.
• Assisting with Fluvial Audits and Stream Reconnaissance Surveys
• Assisting with river restoration projects
• Undertaking Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessments to support a range of major infrastructure and flood risk management projects.
• Writing concise and logical reports including, for example, analysis of hydrological datasets and geomorphological assessments.
• Using and analysing various numerical datasets
• Working in GIS to analyse spatial data
• Identifying potential health and safety hazards of specific projects or work elements and demonstrating a commitment to your own safety and that of those around you.

The start date for this position is September 2026.

What you’ll need

• Be working towards a relevant Degree or Master’s level qualification in environmental science related degrees
• A flexible self-starter who is keen to drive your career forward
• Adaptable to change, with a thirst for learning new things
• You must have the permanent right to work in the UK

Selection Process

• Step 1: Apply Online
• Step 2: Solo Video Assessment
• Step 3: Interview

Apply before 19 October 2025 for your application to be considered in the first assessment window. You can still apply after this date if the role remains open to applications. However, you do so with the knowledge that we may not proceed with your application if the role is filled in the first assessment window.

What else we provide

• A flexible workstyle, embracing a hybrid working pattern and supporting those who need to balance work/life commitments a bit differently than others
• Free single medical cover and digital GP service
• Reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships

• A focus on safety, health, and wellbeing, prioritising our people through a culture of caring and positive mental health champion network
• Opportunities to give back to our communities through our Collectively program, incorporating matched-funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations.

We want you to bring your whole, authentic self to Jacobs.

#EarlyCareersUK #GraduateUK #GraduateJob2026 #GraduateCareersUK #GraduaterecruitmentUK #GraduateJobsUK #GraduateopportunitiesUK

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit www.vercida.com to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.

Locations

CityStateCountry

Edinburgh

East Lothian

United Kingdom