Principal Groundwater Modeller (Mine Water)

SLR CONSULTING; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A global environmental consultancy is seeking experienced mine water professionals to support its Mine Water Group in delivering technical studies in the mining sector. Candidates should have a strong background in mine water management and groundwater modelling, and possess excellent communication skills. The role involves working with a senior team and mentoring others, with opportunities for hybrid working arrangements. A competitive benefits package and professional development support are also offered.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Competitive salaries

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Chartered specialist registration through a UK/EU recognised organisation.
• Experience in delivering technical studies across the mine life cycle.
• High level of understanding in numerical groundwater modelling.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist input to mining studies including feasibility and impact assessments.
• Engage with technical peers and manage projects within your area.
• Mentor and coach others in the team.

Skills

Mine water management

Groundwater modelling

Communication skills

Education

Relevant academic qualification

Tools

GIS skills

CAD skills

Job description

We are looking for experienced mine water professionals to join our busy Mine Water Group and support an expanding pipeline of work in the mining sector. This position provides an exciting opportunity to join SLR’s expanding multi-disciplinary service offering which includes mining engineers, geologists, tailings engineers, geotechnical engineers, ESG practitioners, hydrologists, hydrogeologists, and geochemists.

You will have the opportunity to work with an established team of senior mining consultants. We are interested to hear from water specialists in the fields of hydrology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, water resources, and engineering with experience on local and international mining projects. You could be based in any of our existing European offices, but the following locations are preferred: Bristol; London; Nottingham; Dublin.

The role

• Provide specialist input to local and international mining studies including Pre‑Feasibility & Feasibility Studies (PFS / FS); Environmental & Social Impact Assessments (ESIA); Closure Planning and Independent Technical Review.
• Join other water specialists in working alongside a diverse mining team including mining and tailings engineers, geotechnical specialists and geologists, hydrologists, and ESG practitioners.
• Develop SLR’s technical offering in relation to numerical groundwater modelling in Europe and engage with your technical peers in the global teams.
• Provide specialist input to other subsurface technical studies including engineering.
• Have involvement in all aspects of successful project delivery including proposals writing, risk identification, project set‑up, track progress against budgets, and ensure the issue of a suitably high quality of deliverables to strengthen client relationships.
• Manage and direct projects and tasks within your specialist area and communicate with internal and external clients.
• Provide workload to others in the team and other disciplines and will mentor and coach others.
• Have input into the strategic direction, planning and development of the team, creating new opportunities and prospects, and enhancing team capacity and capability.
• Keep abreast of technical innovation and contribute to ensuring we provide high value advice which complies with recognised best practice, technical guidance and legislation impacting water management in the mining and minerals sector, both nationally and internationally and ensuring SLR is well placed to take advantage of change.

Your project work is likely to involve travel across the UK, Europe and internationally. You would work on projects with our colleagues who are based in other offices throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas.

About us

SLR are global leaders in environmental and advisory solutions helping our clients achieve their sustainability goals. We are a consultancy with over 4,000 employees across 6 regions. SLR’s ‘one team’ culture is at the heart of our business; providing a collaborative and supportive environment for professional development.

Along with competitive salaries, our staff enjoy a comprehensive benefits package with a company pension plus excellent healthcare offering, travel and life insurance, critical illness cover and a structured career framework with regular reviews offering outstanding opportunities for progression. Alongside 25 days’ annual leave, SLR offer flexible, agile and hybrid working which enables staff to tailor hours worked around core hours, and our family friendly policies help balance the needs of professional and family life.

About you

• Relevant academic qualification(s), and be working toward or already registered as a Chartered specialist through a UK/EU recognised organisation (or equivalent overseas organisation).
• Demonstrable experience in contributing to the delivery of a range of technical studies through any of the various phases of the mine life cycle from feasibility and design, environmental impact assessment, operational and closure.
• Strong technical experience and understanding of mine water management with demonstrable ability to a high level in industry relevant numerical groundwater modelling.
• Strong communication skills alongside experience in reporting and communicating technical studies and findings, both on‑line and in‑person settings.

Your knowledge will include:

• Conceptual site model development for mining projects
• Groundwater flow and contaminant transport modelling
• Hydrogeological characterisation
• Mine water management
• Environmental & Social Impact Assessments

It would also be advantageous to have knowledge of the following:

• Dewatering and depressurisation
• Water quality and geochemical assessment and modelling
• GoldSim probabilistic scenario modelling
• Code and script development
• Data management
• GIS and/or CAD skills

Due to the nature of the work you will have a full current driving licence valid in the UK.

Culture & Inclusion at SLR

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer, and our expectations go beyond purely complying with legislation. Through our Regional C&I Committees, Global Council and Employee Networks, we foster an inclusive environment where all people regardless of their background can thrive.

We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background, including those from groups that are currently under‑represented at SLR, such as people identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous peoples, ethnic minority groups, women, and people with visible or invisible disabilities, including those who are neurodivergent.