Wastewater Process Scientist

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

Job summary

A regional water service provider in Bodmin is seeking a Waste Water Process Scientist to ensure regulatory compliance and improve operational performance. This 12-month fixed-term role offers a salary between £27,000 - £37,000, alongside generous benefits including a discretionary bonus and a competitive pension scheme.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Discretionary Bonus

Competitive Contributory Pension

Share-save Scheme

Various health benefits

Wellbeing support programmes

Group Discounts

Cycle to Work Scheme

Financial support services

Qualifications

• Minimum of a degree or equivalent in a scientific discipline.
• Experience providing planned and reactive scientific and technical support to wastewater operations.
• Experience delivering in-house optimisation projects.

Responsibilities

• Conduct site visits to assess operational performance.
• Deliver in-house optimisation projects.
• Implement Trade Effluent control policy.

Skills

Scientific support

Technical support

Operational performance assessment

Regulatory compliance

Energy efficiency

Chemical efficiency

Education

Degree in a scientific discipline

Job description

Overview

South West Water is committed to providing reliable, efficient and high-quality drinking water and wastewater services for the South West region. We aim to reach net-zero by 2030 and partner with Wildlife Trusts, Parks and local partners to help ensure a better future. We are a diverse team that welcomes fresh ideas and opportunities.

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

What you'll be doing

• Provide planned and reactive scientific and technical support to the waste water operational teams to ensure regulatory compliance at the best cost. This includes conducting site visits to sewage treatment works to assess operational performance, identify problems and propose improvements.
• Deliver in-house optimisation projects such as energy and chemical efficiencies.
• Participate in an out of hours pollution response standby rota, enabling immediate environmental assessment of potential pollution, and assist with subsequent reviews to aid learning and process improvements.
• Implement Trade Effluent control policy to ensure health and safety of downstream staff, the sewerage network and receiving works are not compromised.
• Undertake Trade Effluent regulatory sampling and monitoring to ensure compliance with discharge permits.
• Prepare reports on operational performance and cost-saving opportunities.
• Assist with investigations into non-trade illicit discharges in conjunction 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 trialling 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
• Experience delivering in-house optimisation projects (energy and chemical efficiencies)
• Experience participating in out of hours pollution response standby rotas
• Experience implementing Trade Effluent control policies
• Experience undertaking Trade Effluent regulatory sampling and monitoring
• Experience preparing reports on operational performance and cost-saving opportunities
• Experience assisting with investigations into non-trade illicit discharges
• Experience supporting capital investment projects on sewage treatment works
• Experience providing scientific support regarding receipt of inter-works sludges and external commercial wastes
• Experience assisting with trialling of new technologies and innovations
• Experience supporting odour-related investigations and odour control optimisation

What’s in it for you

• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays
• A discretionary Bonus
• Competitive Contributory Pension
• Share-save Scheme
• Various health benefits
• Wellbeing support programmes
• A range of Group Discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Financial support services

Closing Date: Tuesday 23rd September 2025

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

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where our instinct is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values which are essential to our success are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.