Overview
Job Title: Process Scientist
Location: Chatham – Site based, driving licence essential
Perm/FTC: Maternity cover – fixed term contract ending Jan 2027
Hours: 37
Salary: Up to £38,000 per annum
Each day, Southern Water treats and recycles 718 million litres of wastewater from almost two million homes. An opportunity has arisen for a Waste Water Process Scientist to join our dynamic team at Medway & Stour, Kent.
Note: Closing Date 27/10/2025.
Responsibilities
* You will be key to providing technical support on all aspects and operational processes of wastewater, sludge treatment, waste management and R&D.
* You will monitor and oversee the operation of wastewater treatment processes, including setting individual site Operating Plans, Site Process Activity Manuals, chemical and power optimisation, while ensuring best possible compliance.
* You will implement operating methods to ensure final effluent compliance at the WTW, suggesting and delivering optimisation to help the business meet its challenging budget needs.
* You will review and anticipate compliance risks, protect the environment and assist delivery of capex investments.
* You will fully investigate pollution incidents across the Wastewater Treatment Works, taking a collaborative approach with colleagues and external regulators to protect the environment, minimise and prevent future pollutions; investigations will be followed by site investigation reports or process audits with recommendations.
* You will review and analyse exceptional data and wastewater trends, taking appropriate action, pre-empting potential process issues and highlighting early warning triggers to possible compliance breaches.
* You will carry out Critical & Risk site visit reports, passing recommendations to Regional Operational Managers; review chemical consumption and operating parameters to optimise site performance and identify cost savings.
* This role requires experience in scientific testing and writing scientific reports, as well as understanding relevant business processes and regulatory requirements.
* The successful candidate will be responsible for decisions affecting plant and processes to improve operations, or to mitigate risks and issues; provide technical expertise and support to colleagues and on-site contractors, and take a key role in capital schemes or remedial work on wastewater treatment works.
* You will be involved in Asset Management planning and construction-related issues, including delivery of innovative processes or designs and changes to operational practices; act as the main contact to Field Performance Managers for advice on site operation and risk changes.
* As part of maintaining compliance requirements, you will monitor biogas yields and CHP engine efficiencies and ensure Operators are trained; you will also train plant operators on theoretical and practical technical aspects of plant and laboratory processes.
* You will manage your work independently while also working as part of a team. You should be a confident communicator able to engage stakeholders at all levels; problem solving, quick thinking and prioritising are vital.
Qualifications
* Degree in a relevant scientific discipline is desirable; however, you should also hold A Levels, HND or preferably a first degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline.
* Experience in scientific testing and writing scientific reports.
* Ability to work as part of a team and stand-by rota may be required.
Job function
* Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Industries
* Utilities
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