Water Scientist

CHEManager International; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An environmental research company in Greater London is seeking a versatile researcher with expertise in water management and hydraulic modelling. This role focuses on developing novel and scalable nature-based solutions to address water challenges. Candidates should have a PhD or equivalent experience, proficiency in Python and GIS, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving. The position offers the opportunity to impact biodiversity positively and address climate change through innovative landscape interventions.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent experience in hydraulic modelling, hydrology, or related fields.
• Experience in Python programming.
• Proficiency in GIS mapping and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop scalable modelling approaches for water dynamics.
• Co-design landscape interventions to mitigate flooding and drought.
• Mentor junior science staff and interns.

Skills

Python

GIS mapping and analysis

Remote sensing techniques

Data-driven problem-solving

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in hydraulic modelling, hydrology, water science, or similar

Tools

AWS

LiDAR

Job description

Overview

Zulu Ecosystems' mission is to regenerate natural ecosystems responsibly so that the planet and its communities can thrive. We combine proprietary technology and domain expertise with on-the-ground relationships to mobilise landowners, investors, government bodies, and communities around large scale nature restoration programmes. Doing the right thing for nature and people is at the heart of our work, and we apply peer reviewed and novel scientific methods to scope, plan and support delivery of on-the-ground regeneration projects. We use high-quality science to maximise the benefits across carbon sequestration, biodiversity uplift, nature-based climate risk solutions and positive outcomes for communities. We have already delivered projects in woodland creation and peatland restoration, and are expanding capabilities to include wetlands, grasslands, and other habitats.

Your mission

We're seeking a versatile and outcome-focused researcher with expertise in sciences relating to water supply management, flooding, hydrology or hydraulic modelling to develop novel and scalable nature-based solutions approaches for grand challenges in the water space. In this role you will combine the best in academic research with industry tech to develop novel models and methods to improve water outcomes by restoring ecosystems. Your models and insights will inform real-world landscape regeneration projects, help improve outcomes for biodiversity, and help address the impacts of climate change. Working closely with a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and field practitioners, your work will have a real positive impact on people and the planet.

As part of our R&D team, you will work under our Senior Flood Scientist and Head of Applied Science to quantify how nature-based solutions can help mitigate drought and flooding at multiple spatial scales - from landholding to catchment and landscape scales. You will build scalable modelling approaches that can be applied nationally and internationally. In due course, you\'ll develop approaches to integrating hydrological and hydraulic models with other types of natural process models (such as models relating to soils, peat and biodiversity), and climate model data.

You will

• Apply remote sensing data, in-situ data, and hydrological and hydraulic models to understand water dynamics at the catchment and sub-catchment scale.
• Co-design landscape interventions to reduce flood risk and mitigate drought, and build new habitats in collaboration with your science team colleagues and our team of field experts.
• Gather ground-truth data to validate desk-based model analytics.
• Develop partnerships and collaborations with academic research groups, water companies, and other businesses in the field of water science.
• Contribute to improving internal models and research on nature restoration.
• Apply your geospatial knowledge and skills to solving other landscape-level scientific challenges.
• Mentor junior science staff and regularly supervise interns.

Your profile

Requirements

• A passion for making a positive impact on the planet and solving grand environmental challenges
• A PhD, or equivalent level of experience, in a discipline related to hydraulic modelling, hydrology, water science, physics, remote sensing, engineering or other similar fields.
• Experience working in Python
• Knowledge of processing techniques and manipulation of GIS datasets: proficiency in GIS mapping data and software, and experience in geospatial data analysis.
• Experience using relevant geospatial data types, such as LiDAR and land cover.
• Proactive, methodical, and data-driven approach to problem-solving.
• Enthusiasm for working collaboratively with teams comprising different scientific and non-technical backgrounds
• The ability to communicate complex technical topics effectively to a non-technical audience

Nice To Haves

• Experience or expertise in hydraulic or hydrological models, hydrogeology or groundwater, or nature-based solutions relating to these
• Experience with AWS (e.g. S3, Lambda, etc.) and large geospatial datasets (e.g. using cloud-optimised format, manipulating high-resolution spatial data, etc.)
• Experience or expertise in natural capital assessment