Job title Water Quality Scientist Ref 41990 Division Asset Operations & Capital Delivery Location Coppermills - East London - E17 7HE Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time Hours 36 hours per week Salary Offering a salary up to £34,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience. Job grade B Closing date 11/08/2025
We are looking for a Water Quality Scientist to join Thames Water permanently.
As a Distribution Water Quality Scientist, you will be responsible for providing technical expertise in the field of drinking water quality and clean water distribution systems.
Working within a small team of network water quality scientists, you will engage with operational teams in the field, as well as carrying out office-based projects and activities. In doing this, you will ensure the protection of public health and deliver excellent customer service.
Technical expertise will also be utilised when providing water quality approval for operational activities in the network through the company’s permit to work risk assessment system.
* Working Pattern: Hybrid- 36 hours per week (Monday – Friday).
* Travel to other sites is a requirement of this role, and a valid UK driving license is therefore essential.
What you will be doing as a Water Quality Scientist
* Take responsibility for investigations into failures of network water quality parameters and complex or long-running customer complaints.
* Act as an event scientist for network water quality events, providing advice regarding the protection of public health.
* Review permit-to-work requests, providing water quality approval as appropriate.
* Provide technical input to relevant network operations, in particular relating to source change.
* Establish relationships with internal stakeholders to promote the protection of public health and ensure appropriate network investment and continued compliance with water quality requirements.
* Readiness to develop technical expertise in the field of drinking water quality and clean water distribution systems, whilst also being confident to apply and communicate this knowledge.
What should you bring to the role?
* A scientific background and preferably an HNC or Degree (or equivalent) in a scientific discipline.
* Relevant experience within the water industry.
* An understanding of the current legislation, regulatory and operational requirements surrounding water quality would be advantageous.
* Good communication and interpersonal skills are key as the role involves liaising with internal stakeholders on a day-to-day basis.
* The ability to build strong working relationships is essential.
* Strong team player who can make decisions autonomously, particularly when dealing with events.
* A basic knowledge of GIS (Geographic Information System) would be advantageous.
What’s in it for you?
* Offering a salary up to £34,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
* Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays).
* Pension: Maximum of 12% = 2x employee contribution.
* Performance Related Pay Plan (PRPP): Max (of salary) = 10%. On Target (of salary) = 5%.
* Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of yourself and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.
So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.
Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.
Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support .
When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.
Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
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