Job Description

Salary - 31,942 - 33,898
Hybrid working (50/50)
Full-time. Permanent (P/Time 4 days considered)
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.
Looking for a role where your research makes a difference? Join us and contribute to innovative hydrological modelling that informs sustainable water management worldwide.
We are looking for a Water Resources Hydrologist to join our acclaimed Water Resources & Drought group at UKCEH's Wallingford site. You'll be joining a small collaborative and progressive team of friendly scientists, focusing on advancing water resources management from catchment to global scales.
Within this role, you'll apply a range of hydrological models to understand catchment hydrology in the UK and internationally, supporting operational hydrology and water demand analysis. Working within a specialist team, you'll contribute to cutting-edge research that informs sustainable water management worldwide. You will be involved in various projects that involve the assessment of current and future water resources, specifically helping to develop and apply some of UKCEH's hydrological and water quality models.
You will tackle issues such as integrating climate and hydrological data to better understand water availability and seek improvements to the estimation of water demands and abstractions from both surface water and groundwater sources. You'll play a key role in delivering scientific evidence to support integrated water management and contribute to the development of decision-support tools for governments and agencies worldwide.
Projects that the team are currently working on include:
...and the project which develops digital tools that enhance the understanding and management of water resources. These projects are pivotal in shaping global responses to climatic and societal challenges.
Your main responsibilities will include:

• Undertaking reviews, data collection activities, ensuring timely and consistent production of good quality data (or other digital assets / research outputs)
• Experience with one or more of GIS, Access databases and Excel, with an ability to programme in Python or R.
• Applying a range of models under current and future scenarios
• Preparing formatted data or figures, contributing to the production of reports and scientific papers
• Supporting digital asset activities, including the submission of quality assured datasets to relevant data repository, publishing model code and data flow

Current projects the team are working on include modelling how hydrological conditions will change in coming decades to support drought planning, improving our understanding of the impact of emerging pollutants on freshwaters, and working with partners in India to improve water resources management.
As part of a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute, this role offers an excellent opportunity to expand your hydrological expertise while developing a specialisation in water resources modelling. You'll be part of a supportive team that encourages learning, collaboration, and career progression, helping you build the skills and experience needed to grow as a specialist in this field.
For the role of Water Resources Hydrologist, we're looking for somebody who has:

• A 2:1 degree (or above) in an appropriate subject (e.g. physical/environmental sciences, maths or engineering), equivalent qualification or sufficient relevant experience
• Experience in one or more of GIS, Microsoft SQL server, Access databases and Excel, with an ability to programme in Python or R
• Effective communication and teamworking skills, adopting a collaborative and inclusive approach, across various levels
• A commitment to your own professional development, understanding the wider context of your science and its potential impacts at national and global scale
• Good IT skills with proficiency using Microsoft Office 365

• Willingness to travel within the UK and overseas to support project activities and attend conferences

You'll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that's committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.
Working for UKCEH is rewarding
We appreciate the continuous dedication and contributions of our staff, which is why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes financial incentives and wellbeing-oriented perks, such as:

• 27 days annual leave (rising to 29 days after 5 years' service) plus 3 days for Christmas closure

• 10% employer pension contribution

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (role dependant)

• Peer reward and recognition scheme

• Dental insurance, gym/fitness discounts, retail discount portal

• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

• 24-hour, 365-day support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues and much more...

Apply today!
If this opportunity resonates with you and aligns with your personal career goals, the team would love to receive your application. Please apply by submitting your CV along with a covering letter that highlights any qualifications, skills or experience you believe are relevant to this role.
At UKCEH, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone - regardless of background, identity, ability, or circumstance - has the opportunity to thrive. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from neurodivergent candidates and those with disabilities. We are happy to provide any adjustments or support you may need throughout the application process - please don't hesitate to reach out. So, if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we'd love to hear from you anyway. You may be just the right fit for this role or another within our wider team.
Please note:
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.

Skills Required