Hydroclimate Scientist

UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Crowmarsh Gifford; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental research organization is seeking a scientist to analyze hydroclimatic extremes in the UK. The role involves developing datasets, collaborating on significant research initiatives, and communicating findings. Ideal candidates will have a PhD or relevant experience in environmental sciences, strong programming skills, and proven teamwork capabilities. This position offers a hybrid working model and competitive benefits including pension contributions and generous leave.

Benefits

27 days annual leave

10% employer pension contribution

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

24/7 support access

Flexible working opportunities

Qualifications

• PhD in relevant scientific discipline or equivalent experience.
• Proven skills in numerical or statistical analysis.
• Experience programming in Python and/or R.
• Good organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Experience communicating science to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Investigate historical trends and impacts of droughts across the UK.
• Develop and analyze hydroclimate datasets.
• Contribute to significant scientific outputs each year.
• Collaborate with UKCEH researchers and external partners.

Skills

Numeracy skills

Statistical analysis

Programming (Python and/or R)

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Communication skills

Education

PhD in scientific discipline or Master's with relevant experience

Second-Class Honours degree or higher in earth/environmental sciences, geography, physical sciences or statistics/mathematics

Tools

Hydrological models

GIS systems

Job description

Salary - £38,939 to £41,321
Hybrid Working
Based at Wallingford, Oxfordshire
Permanent, full-time

We will be closing this advert on 26/08/2025..

Are you a dedicated scientist eager to advance our understanding of hydroclimatic extremes across past, present, and future climates? Are you motivated by the opportunity to contribute to high-impact science and become a recognised expert within UKCEH and the wider national and international research community?

In this role, you will contribute to a portfolio of national and international science initiatives, including the Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water and CANARI projects and related flagship National Capability projects such as the UK Hydrological Outlook and our International Programme . You will be working on developing future projections of hydrological extremes using large ensembles, including advancing understanding of the associated variability and uncertainty. You will also contribute to the co-development and delivery of products and tools that enable water managers to assess the impacts of climate change on water systems and support efforts to enhance resilience against future extreme hazards. This is a rewarding opportunity to see our research translated into applied tools which have a positive impact on our society.

You’ll join a multidisciplinary team of hydrologists, climate scientists, and data scientists, collaborating across diverse areas of research and professional development . Your role includes leading tasks within concurrent research projects, initiating and organising work independently as well as working within a team . You’ll also help communicate the value of your science and UKCEH’s work both internally and externally, supporting knowledge exchange and stakeholder engagement.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Investigating historical trends, drivers of variability, and characteristics of droughts, and assess ing their current and future impacts across the UK and wider European region.

• Developing and analysing hydroclimate datasets, including large ensemble future hydrological projections, while ensuring good data management practices of large datasets.

• Developing and testing novel approaches to quantifying and attributing risk, including ‘storyline s ’ approaches , UNSEEN and other emerging techniques .

• Contributing to significant outputs each year (e.g., peer refereed publications or reports , scientific models and methods , published datasets etc . ) and leading where necessary.

• Collaborating with internal UKCEH researchers, and external partners and engaging with key stakeholders, including water companies, government agencies and a wide range of water managers

Your additional responsibilities may include:

• Mentoring junior staff and/or students in your team or beyond (e.g. , on projects) supporting their personal development.

• Contributing towards funding proposals (or leading the writing for key elements of proposals) where appropriate .

• Participating in the production and delivery of operational services within the National Hydrological Monitoring Programme and the UK Hydrological Outlook .

• Contributing regularly to events s and outreach activities of UKCEH , professional societies / networks relevant to your science, including international scientific networks .

Some essential skills we are looking for:

• Either a PhD in scientific discipline or a Master’s with relevant experience, and a Second - Class Honours degree or higher in earth/environmental sciences, geography, physical sciences or statistics/mathematics .

• Proven numeracy skills or statistical analysis in hydrology and/or meteorology/climatology.

• Experience of programming (preferably Python and/ or R).

• Good organisational and time management skills, with an ability to work independently and to deadlines.

• C ollaborative and inclusive teamwork , with the ability to develop effective relationships across the organisation and with a variety of external national and international project partners.

• Experience in communicating activities and outcomes to a range of audiences, specialist and non-specialist alike, using appropriate media .

Desirable, but not essential, skills/experience:

• Experience with analysing and managing large hydroclimate datasets (e.g., multi-dimensional NetCDF files, timeseries data, shapefiles).

• Experience working with any type of hydrological models (e.g., catchment models, spatially distributed or physically-based models).

• Knowledge and experience in the use of one or various of the following would be an advantage: Linux OS, GIS system, HPC and/or Machine Learning techniques.

• Experience in contributing to funding proposals and successfully attracting funding would be advantageous .
  

Working at UKCEH is rewarding. Our science makes a real difference and enabl es people and the environment to prosper. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.

As a valued member of our team, you’ll get:

• 27 days annual leave, rising to 29 days after five years

• 10% employer pension contribution

• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

• 24 hour, 365-day access to support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues plus access to our trained Welfare Officers

• Flexible working opportunities

And much more ...

Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. However, this position may qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. Additionally, if you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.

If we’ve just described you, we’d love to meet. Apply now.