Strategic Resource Scientist - Reservoirs

Anglian Water Services; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional water utility in the UK is seeking a Strategic Resource Scientist to develop a comprehensive Water Quality Strategy for its major reservoir projects. This pivotal role involves ensuring compliance with water quality regulations and engaging with stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess postgraduate qualifications in a relevant scientific field, with significant experience in water treatment and stakeholder management. A competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a commitment to inclusion await the successful applicant.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Private healthcare

Annual bonus scheme

26 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Life cover and accident cover

Flexible benefits

Paid illness time off

Free parking at all office locations

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Postgraduate education in scientific discipline required.
• Experience with water treatment and distribution needed.
• Excellent problem-solving and coaching abilities are essential.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills necessary.

Responsibilities

• Develop a Water Quality Strategy for reservoir projects.
• Lead the design of a water quality sampling programme.
• Produce water quality risk assessments and manage communications.
• Drive health and safety compliance across projects.

Skills

Water quality expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Education

Postgraduate level in a relevant scientific subject

Tools

Risk portal knowledge

Job description

Strategic Resource Scientist - Reservoirs
Starting salary from £47,610dependent on skills & experience
Permanent, full time (37 hours) with flexibility for part time
Huntingdon / Peterborough

Be part of a once-in-a-generation project!

Anglian Water is delivering one of the most ambitious infrastructure programmes in our history — the multi-billion-pound Reservoirs Programme, including two major new water reservoirs in the East of England: Fens and Lincolnshire.

These nationally significant projects will transform water supply across the region and secure a sustainable future for millions. We’re seeking an expert in water quality to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the drinking water quality delivered by these reservoirs — a career-defining opportunity for an experienced and passionate water quality scientist.

As the Strategic Resource Scientist (Reservoir Programme), you will play a pivotal role in developing and delivering a Water Quality Strategy for proposed reservoirs, working closely with the Reservoir Programme Team, regulators, and Anglian Water. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of water quality management, ensuring that risks to drinking water are identified, assessed, and mitigated from source to tap.

You will lead the design and implementation of a robust sampling programme, support regulatory compliance, and champion the Drinking Water Safety Planning (DWSP) approach. The role involves significant stakeholder engagement, project management, and collaboration with both internal and external partners.

Key responsibilities

• Support the production and ongoing development of a Water Quality Strategy aligned with the DWSP approach, covering all project stages from development to operation.
• Develop and deliver a comprehensive water quality sampling programme, ensuring compliance with Regulation 15 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016.
• Produce and maintain water quality risk assessments, engaging with subject matter experts and updating strategies in response to emerging risks.
• Manage communication and stakeholder engagement, preparing reports, presentations, and ensuring alignment with engagement strategies.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement in Health & Safety, ensuring compliance with company policies and fostering a zero-accident culture.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, DWI, EA, RAPID, and partners.

As a valued employee you’ll be entitled to:

• A competitive pension scheme where we double-match your contributions up to 6%
• Private healthcare for your peace of mind
• An annual bonus scheme
• The opportunity to volunteer in your local community
• 26 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays), increasing with service, with the option to swap Christmas and Easter for religious holidays
• Life cover (8x your salary) and personal accident cover (up to 5x your salary)
• Flexible benefits to support your well-being and lifestyle
• Paid time off for illness, both physical and mental
• Free parking at all office locations, sites, and leisure parks
• Excellent family-friendly policies, including 26 weeks of full pay for maternity/adoption leave and 4 weeks of paternity/partner pay, with the opportunity for shared parental leave

What does it take to be successful?

• Educated to postgraduate level in a relevant scientific subject.
• Knowledge of Regulation 28 and risk portal.
• Experience in water process science, water quality customer service, and public health, with demonstrable expertise in water treatment and distribution.
• Ability to think and operate both strategically and tactically.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and interpersonal skills.
• Good IT and project management skills.
• Commercial, business, and industry sector awareness.
• Proven problem-solving capability and formal training/coaching ability.

Inclusion at Anglian Water:

Inclusion is for everyone and we are an equal opportunity employer, which means we’ll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and their passion for creating better outcomes, and we’re committed to creating an environment where all our colleagues feel they belong.

Closing date: 11th January 2026

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