Want to know if this job is worth applying to?
South Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Onsite
Not Available
About UKCEH
UKCEH is a leading independent research institute with over 600 scientists studying how the natural world works. We take a connected approach across land, water and air to understand environmental systems and build resilience for people and the planet.
About This Role
We’re looking for a Lab and Field Research Scientist to join our Water Quality & Catchment Processes team - a well-established, nationally recognised group known for delivering high-impact environmental research. This is an opportunity to take your first step into a role that will challenge, support and grow your scientific potential.
As part of our wider Water & Climate Science area, you won’t just be supporting projects - you’ll be contributing to meaningful, NERC-funded research at the forefront of environmental chemistry and freshwater science. This opportunity is ideal for a recent graduate who already has some practical experience and is ready to build on a strong foundation. If you’re naturally curious, motivated by real-world impact, and enjoy thinking beyond individual data points to understand how entire systems connect, you’ll feel right at home. We’re looking for someone who can see the “big picture”, someone who understands how their work contributes to healthier ecosystems and more sustainable communities.
You’ll be guided by our Senior Environmental Chemist, a highly experienced and well-connected leader who is passionate about supporting early-career scientists. From day one, you’ll be encouraged to develop your skills, deepen your knowledge, and grow your confidence within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team that includes internationally recognised experts.
As part of a world-leading independent research institute, you’ll gain hands-on experience across both laboratory and field environments. Whether your interests lie in biogeochemistry, freshwater science, or wider interdisciplinary research, you’ll have the chance to explore, learn, and broaden your expertise through exposure to cutting-edge science and innovative approaches.
In this role, you’ll play an active part in research and monitoring projects that investigate the sources, movement and impacts of nutrients, pollutants and other pressures affecting rivers, lakes and catchments. Your work will be varied and engaging - spanning fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and data handling. You’ll help collect high-quality samples and measurements, process and analyse them with care and precision, and contribute to outputs that inform project teams, partners and funders.
From conducting river and lake sampling to deploying and maintaining water quality sensors and auto-samplers, you’ll gain valuable practical skills in the field. In the laboratory, you’ll carry out nutrient and water-quality analysis, while also supporting experimental studies such as algal growth, mesocosm and in-river research. Alongside this, you’ll build your analytical experience by contributing to data checks, basic analysis, visualisations, reports, and - where appropriate - scientific papers and high-quality datasets.
Your main responsibilities will include:
Planning and carrying out hands-on fieldwork across rivers, lakes and catchments, collecting high-quality chemical and biological samples
Operating, calibrating and maintaining field equipment such as water-quality sensors, probes and auto-samplers
Analysing nutrients and water quality in the laboratory
Supporting laboratory, mesocosm, algal growth or in-river experiments, including preparation, monitoring, sample collection and data recording.
Checking, formatting and collating data so it is accurate, reliable and ready for use by project teams
Preparing simple figures, tables and summaries for project reports, presentations, web material, data submissions and scientific papers.
Contributing ideas and practical solutions to scientific and technical challenges
Collaborating with scientists, technicians and project managers to deliver impactful research
Supporting field planning, risk assessments, equipment preparation and day-to-day laboratory operations
Take a look at some of the exciting and impactful projects you could be involved in as part of the team at UKCEH:
Micro-Cycle – advancing our understanding of microbial processes in environmental systems:
https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=NE%2FZ000173%2F1
SMARTWATER – developing innovative solutions to manage and improve water quality:
https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=NE%2FX018865%2F1
BIOPOLE – a collaborative initiative driving sustainable land use and environmental resilience:
https://biopole.ac.uk/
The River Thames Initiative – a long-standing citizen science programme monitoring the health of one of the UK’s most iconic rivers:
The River Thames Initiative
What we’re looking for:
A degree; Masters or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as environmental science, chemistry, biology, geography or hydrology
Practical experience in a relevant practical setting such as a laboratory, fieldwork or environmental monitoring
Strong attention to detail and the ability to follow methods to produce accurate, reliable data
Good organisation skills, with the ability to manage tasks independently and take responsibility for your work
A collaborative mindset, with strong teamwork skills, accountability and a positive approach
Competency with standard IT tools such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint, with a willingness to develop data and analytical skills
Clear communication skills for working with colleagues, project teams and partners, and contributes positively to an inclusive team culture.
A note on fieldwork and travel requirements:
While this role is primarily office-based, you’ll also spend a good proportion of your time contributing to laboratory and fieldwork activities, around 70% in the lab, 20% in the field, with the remainder supporting office-based tasks.
Fieldwork will mainly focus on local, UK-based projects, including regular sampling across the Thames catchment, and may occasionally involve overnight stays. You’ll be comfortable working outdoors in a range of environments, including rivers and lakes, and happy adapting to changing conditions. Bringing a proactive, flexible and accountable approach will be important, particularly during busy fieldwork periods. A full UK manual driving licence is required for this role. As you build experience, there may also be opportunities to get involved in projects further afield across the UK and internationally.
What will help you stand out:
Experience with water quality, nutrient, algal, microbiological or aquatic ecology methods
Deployment and maintenance of sondes, sensors, autosamplers or other environmental monitoring equipment.
Working under laboratory quality systems, including sample tracking, calibration, QA/QC checks and safe chemical handling.
Data analysis or visualisation skills, or experience with tools such as R, Python or GIS
Experience contributing to reports and summaries or presenting information to colleagues or partners
Start your career where your work truly makes a difference. If you’re ready to turn your academic knowledge and early experience into a rewarding career with real impact, this is your opportunity to get involved, grow quickly, and make a difference.
How to apply and what happens next
If you’re interested in this role, we’d love to hear from you. You’ll be directed to our Workday portal where you’ll create an account and upload your CV and your responses to the questions below (approx. 8 mins). Your responses are an important part of our assessment process, so please take the time to complete them thoughtfully:
A separate cover letter is not required
Use clear, concise examples that demonstrate your personal contribution, relevant skills, qualifications (if applicable) and impact
Limit your responses to a maximum of 150 words per question
Once submitted, our panel will review your application, and please be assured that we are committed to providing an outcome for all applicants, regardless of the result.
Q1 - Please describe a practical example from your degree, dissertation, placement, work experience or employment where you collected, processed or analysed environmental, chemical or biological samples or data. What was your role, and how did you make sure the work was accurate and reliable?
Q2 - This role involves a mix of laboratory work, fieldwork and data handling. Please give an example of when you had to organise your own work, follow a method carefully, or adapt to a practical problem. What did you do, and what was the outcome?
Q3 - We work closely with scientists, technicians, project managers and external partners. Please describe an example of when you worked well as part of a team. What did you contribute, and what did you learn from the experience?
Working at UKCEH is genuinely rewarding
You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute, where your work will have real impact. Our science helps people and the environment to prosper and informs decisions that benefit society. We’re proud to be custodians of over 60 years of environmental data, and just as proud of the people behind it. You’ll be supported to develop your career, grow your skills and thrive in a collaborative, purpose-driven environment.
What we offer
At UKCEH, we recognise your dedication and provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you both at work and at home. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:
Generous annual leave - 27 days (rising to 29 days after 5 years) +3 for Christmas closure
10% employer pension contribution
Financial protection through life assurance and income protection
Enhanced family-friendly policies
Flexible and hybrid working options (depending on your role)
Lifestyle perks including dental, gym, retail and cycling discounts
A commitment to wellbeing, supported by a range of internal initiatives
Employee Assistance Programme and health benefits, including 24/7 support with remote GP access, mental health, physiotherapy and lifestyle services
Peer recognition and rewards that celebrate your contribution
Salary sacrifice agreement benefits including Electric & Plug-in Hybrid vehicle and Cycle2Work schemes
Interest-free annual travel season ticket loans (terms apply)
Our Commitment to inclusion
At UKCEH, we believe everyone should feel welcome and able to be themselves at work. We warmly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. As a Disability Confident employer, we’re happy to support you with any adjustments you may need throughout the recruitment process.
A note on sponsorship
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.