Science jobs in United Kingdom

Anglian Water is delivering one of the most ambitious infrastructure programmes in our history. This includes two multi-billion-pound new water reservoirs in the East of England: Fens and Lincolnshire.

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

Are you ready to lead a team dedicated to safeguarding public health and ensuring the highest standards of water quality? As a Water Quality Lead, you will lead the Drinking Water Safety Planning (DWSP) approach and own the development and implementation of a water quality strategy which enables the delivery of our major projects.

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. Your team will design and implement effective sampling programme, design and deliver water quality investigations and maintain regulatory compliance.

The role involves significant stakeholder engagement, project management, and collaboration with both internal and external partners. As the Water Quality Lead you will be the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s primary contact for the development of the reservoirs.

You will provide the necessary scientific service to the major projects team, customers and stakeholders. As a recognised technical expert, you will promote water quality science across the business, influence industry colleagues and regulators, and help build Anglian Water’s national reputation for scientific and public health excellence.

• Lead and develop the Water Quality Team, ensuring effective investigations and consistent approaches across operational areas.
• Lead scientific responses to water quality events, minimising impact and protecting public health.
• Own all aspects of customer communications regarding drinking water quality, striving for customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Health Protection teams, Environmental Health Officers, and other external agencies.
• Provide effective leadership, training, and development for the team, ensuring competence and health & safety compliance.
• Promote water quality science across the business and represent the company on national working groups and at industry events.

• 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

• Educated to postgraduate level in a relevant scientific subject; chartered member of a professional body.
• Proven leadership skills, ideally with a management qualification, and experience in water process science and public health.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong project management, IT, and problem-solving abilities.
• Commercial and industry sector awareness, with the ability to think and operate both strategically and tactically.
• Demonstrable expertise in training, coaching, and developing teams.

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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