Waste Water Process Scientist

ZipRecruiter; Bodmin; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional water services company in Bodmin is seeking a Waste Water Process Scientist to provide scientific support and optimize operations. The role includes regulatory compliance, project delivery, and pollution response. The ideal candidate will have a degree in a scientific discipline and experience in wastewater operations. This 12-month fixed-term contract offers a competitive salary between £27,000 and £37,000, along with excellent benefits and a focus on personal development.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Discretionary bonus

Competitive contributory pension

Health benefits

Wellbeing support

Cycle to work

Financial support services

Qualifications

• Minimum of a degree or equivalent in a scientific discipline.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Experience in providing scientific and technical support to wastewater operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific support to wastewater operational teams.
• Deliver energy and chemical efficiency optimisation projects.
• Participate in pollution response standby rota.
• Implement Trade Effluent control policy.
• Prepare reports on operational performance.

Skills

Scientific support

Regulatory compliance

Optimization projects

Pollution response

Data reporting

Investigation skills

Odour control

Education

Degree in a scientific discipline

Job description

Overview

South West Water values solid foundations, a vision for change, and a culture that welcomes new ideas. We provide reliable drinking water and wastewater services for the South West and are committed to net-zero by 2030, partnering with Wildlife Trusts, Parks and local partners for a better future. We are a diverse team that invites fresh ideas.

Waste Water Process Scientist role based in Bodmin, Cornwall. 12 month Fixed Term Contract. Salary £27,000 – £37,000 per annum plus excellent benefits.

What you’ll be doing

• Provide planned and reactive scientific and technical support to the wastewater operational teams to ensure regulatory compliance at the best cost, including site visits to sewage treatment works to assess performance, identify problems and suggest improvements.
• Deliver in-house optimisation projects such as energy and chemical efficiencies.
• Participate in an out-of-hours pollution response standby rota to enable immediate environmental assessment of potential pollution, and assist with reviews of incidents to drive learning and process improvements.
• Implement Trade Effluent control policy to protect downstream staff, the sewerage network and receiving works.
• Undertake Trade Effluent regulatory sampling and monitoring to ensure discharge permit compliance.
• Prepare reports on operational performance and cost-saving opportunities.
• Assist with investigations into Non-trade illicit discharges with area catchment teams.
• Support capital investment projects on sewage treatment works.
• Provide scientific support to wastewater treatment managers regarding receipt of inter-works sludges and external commercial wastes.
• Assist with trials of new technologies and innovations.
• Support area teams with investigations into odour complaints and the optimisation of odour control systems.

What we are looking for

• Minimum of a degree or equivalent in a scientific discipline
• Full UK Driving Licence
• Experience providing planned and reactive scientific and technical support to wastewater operations to ensure regulatory compliance and identify improvements
• Experience delivering in-house optimisation projects (energy and chemical efficiencies)
• Experience in out-of-hours pollution response and environmental incident review
• Experience implementing Trade Effluent control policy
• Experience undertaking Trade Effluent regulatory sampling and monitoring
• Experience preparing reports on operational performance and cost-saving opportunities
• Experience assisting investigations into Non-trade illicit discharges
• Experience supporting capital investment projects on sewage treatment works
• Experience providing scientific support related to receipt of inter-works sludges and external wastes
• Experience assisting with trialling of new technologies and innovations
• Experience supporting investigations of odour complaints and odour control optimisation

What’s in it for you

• Opportunity for ongoing development and training for a long-term career with a large South West employer
• Investors in People recognition
• Benefits including: generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays, discretionary bonus, competitive contributory pension, share-save scheme, health benefits, wellbeing support, group discounts, cycle to work, financial support services, and more

Closing Date: Tuesday 23 September 2025

Please note the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of onboarding.

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