Closing Date
2025-10-07
Job Title: Network Process Scientist
Location: Flexible
Perm/FTC: Permanent
Hours: 37
Salary: Up to £45,580 depending on skills and experience
Southern Water has an exciting development opportunity as a Network Process Scientist, working within the Water Performance Team.
As a Network Process Scientist, you will be responsible for monitoring and optimising drinking water quality from source to tap to ensure we meet our customer promise of a constant, high quality supply.
This role base is flexible and responsible for all Water Supplies in our area.
Some of your key accountabilities will include:
1. Ensure that all relevant UK and EC legislation is adhered to, in particular that relating to drinking water quality
2. Monitoring and analysis of telemetry and laboratory data
3. Working within the Process Science team responsible for maintaining or improving the quality of water supplied to customers from the distribution network
4. Assist SWS to meet Output Delivery Incentive low level targets for contacts relating to appearance, Taste and Odour and help improve our rankings within the industry against both the Compliance Risk Index (CRI) and Event Risk Index (ERI).
5. You will be responsible for audits and checks on existing assets and assist in the development and implementation of system improvements.
6. You will investigate and report on water quality compliance breaches.
7. Day to day activities include, but are not limited to, distribution network water quality reporting, assessing the impacts of new mains connections, follow up sampling after mains repair sample failures, monitoring network water age and reservoir turnover, and ensuring that water distribution impingement activities comply with the SWS hygiene code of practice.
The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate the following transferrable skills:
8. Collecting and analysing data to investigate scientific issues and draw out conclusions and recommendations.
9. Excellent IT skills including data analysis in excel.
10. Good mathematical fluency
11. Analytical thinking
12. Self-motivated, assertive, and independent thought whilst being a good team worker too.
The following experience will be advantageous:
13. Good understanding of water chemistry/biology and the principles of water treatment
14. A sound understanding of chemistry and / or microbiology, health significance of water quality parameters
15. Knowledge of the regulatory principles and framework governing the UK water supply industry
16. Ability to use GIS software
This role is both challenging and rewarding. You will be a part of a high performing technical function, working at a fast pace, conducting desktop analysis/reviews along with site visits to ensure industry and internal best practice, and water quality compliance. This is a key role to ensure that Southern Water maintains the high standards set out by our regulators.
This role will require travel around your allocated area and therefore it is essential you have a full, clean UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Here at Southern Water, not only do we offer a competitive salary but great benefits too!
17. 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays
18. BUPA cash plan cover (with options to upgrade for family coverage)
19. Free annual flu jab and eye test vouchers
20. Pension contributions up to 11% (depending on your contribution)
21. An employee assistance program
22. A network of sports and social clubs
23. Company and performance-related bonus
24. Life assurance equal to 4x salary
25. Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)
26. Health Cash Plan
27. Two paid volunteering days a year
28. Occupational health service
29. Discounts with over 800 popular retailers
30. Digital GP service
31. Study support may be available for job-related qualifications
32. Competitive maternity & paternity leave and flexible return to work options
Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?
Privacy Statement:
Please note: If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your manager is aware of your application.
All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.