Environment Agency Industry Placement - Chief Scientist Group - 31425
Number of jobs available
1
Region
South West
City/Town
Bristol
Building/Site
DEFRA GRP EA HORIZON HOUSE, BS1 5AH
Grade
Staff Grade 2
Post Type
Fixed Term
Role Type
Science
Working Pattern
Full Time
Salary Minimum
24,096 Pro-rata
Closing Date:
24/07/2025, 23:55 hours
Job description attachment 1
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Job description attachment 2
Industry Placement - Chief Scientist Group - 31425_E&B Additional Information Pack.pdf - 949KB Opens in a new window
Candidate pack
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Converted File Candidate Pack - 31425.docx.pdf - 718KB Opens in a new window
Security checks level
Basic Check
Job description
Start your career in the environment sector with a 12-month industry placement at the Environment Agency (EA) (for sandwich students or recent graduates).
Are you looking to kickstart your career in protecting and improving the environment? Our placement offers you the chance to gain hands-on experience, develop your skills, and contribute to real projects that make a difference to people and nature.
We are a welcoming and inclusive organisation dedicated to achieving ambitious sustainability, net zero, and climate change goals?
You will gain valuable professional experience and gain an insight into the EA. You will work alongside knowledgeable experts, scientists, collaborating across various fields on challenging and impactful projects in the Chief Scientist's Group (CSG) to give you an understanding of the fantastic work we do to develop our science and evidence base.
You could:
Help our research team develop new science.
Explore how we can best gather data, information and insights we need to protect the environment.
Use a range of data to evaluate the effectiveness of policy.
During your placement, you'll receive extensive support, including pastoral care from your line manager, mentor, and access to our staff networks and groups, such as Race and Ethnicity, Autism & ADHD, LGBTQ+, and sports and social clubs.
We provide access to a wide range of training and development courses to help broaden your skill set, to ensure you develop the critical competencies necessary for long-term success in your career. This placement could open doors to multiple career pathways within the EA.
As a valued member of the team, you'll be encouraged to challenge conventional thinking, explore innovative ways of working, develop strategies, and share your ideas, while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As an organisation we strive to reflect the communities we serve and continue to develop diversity throughout our workforce
The team
Join our dispersed CSG Team, leading science, research, monitoring, analysis, and evaluation across the Environment Agency.
We are part of the Environment and Business (E&B) Directorate, we collaborate widely to identify evidence gaps, spot emerging trends, and communicate insights clearly to support confident decision-making.
You will join the the Chief Scientist Office who support the Chief Scientist in leading the CSG and fulfilling his role as Head of Profession for Science in the Environment Agency.
Experience/skills required
We're looking for applicants studying (completed at least two years of your course) or recently graduated (within 12 months from June 2024) from a science-based degree or master's.
To get the most from this placement, you will need:
?A genuine interest in using science to create a better place for people and wildlife.
? Data and analysis skills: Ability to collect, manage, analyse and interpret data accurately to support projects.
? IT skills: Confident using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word and Outlook.
? Communication skills: Clear written and verbal communication with a variety of audiences.
? Teamwork and collaboration: Willing to work with others and contribute positively to shared goals.
? Organisational skills: Able to manage time, prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
? Attention to detail: Careful when working with data and scientific information.
? Problem-solving mindset: Creative, curious, and able to seek solutions, asking for support when needed.
Contact and additional information
This post is based in Horizon House, Bristol. You'll be expected to attend the office 2-3 times per week, with the remaining days worked remotely if you choose, as part of our hybrid working approach.
Remote interviews will be held in August, virtually via Microsoft Teams.
The placement will start 8 September 2025.
While on placement, you'll be eligible to apply for internal vacancies listed on our jobs board.
Everyone joining a new role is warmly welcomed into the team and provided with all the training and support needed to succeed.
We offer a wide range of employee benefits and opportunities to develop your career through professional training, including apprenticeships and graduate training programmes.
Please contact: rich.walmsley@environment-agency.gov.uk
Length of contract
Up to 06/09/2026
Competence 1
Manages Self
Description
We would like to understand what motivates you to apply for this role.
Can you tell us what motivates you to apply for an industry placement with the Environment Agency, and what skills or experiences you hope to gain during your time with us?
Competence 2
Scientific Knowledge
Description
Applies scientific knowledge (various disciplines, depending on team role) to provide sound, science-based evidence to our internal and external customers.
Can you provide an example where you have used your science-based knowledge and have translated it into sound, science-based evidence?
Did you need to analyse complex data?
How did you check if the science was widely accepted?
What was the outcome?
How do you maintain your knowledge to ensure implementation of best practice takes place?
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.
(Feedback is generally not available at sift stage)
Competence 3
Data and Information Management
Description
Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.
Please describe a situation when you have had to analyse and interpret data and present it in a useable format.
What was your role and contribution?
What data were you required to supply?
How did you ensure the quality of the data?
What was the outcome?
Competence 4
Communicates Effectively
Description
We are particularly keen to hear from you if you studied within a science discipline.
To be eligible for these placements you will need to meet ALL the following criteria:
Criteria 1
? You are a UK, Commonwealth or EEA (European Economic Area) national
? You have the right to work in the UK
Criteria 2
? You will have completed a minimum of two years of your degree in any subject
OR
? You have graduated from an undergraduate degree or master's degree programme within the last 12 months (from June 2024)
If successful, you will be required to give evidence of your qualification (expected or awarded)
Please confirm in this section that you meet the criteria as detailed above with a Yes / No and include your degree title and completion/completed date?
(This section is not scored)
Competence 5
Works in Teams
Description
Your base location for this post will be Bristol. The successful candidate will be expected to work from our Bristol Office, Horizon House 2-3 times per week.
Please note that travel costs will not be covered by the organisation from your home to your office base location. Travel / subsistence to meetings in other office etc will be covered.
Please confirm via a yes or no in this section that:
You understand this role is based in Bristol.
This regular in-office presence is important to support team collaboration, training, and effective engagement with colleagues and stakeholders.
(This section is not scored)
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit