Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose
The information below covers the role requirements, expected candidate experience, and accompanying qualifications.
South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK's most stunning landscapes.
We're proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we're working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
Whether you're starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.
Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.
Make a real environmental impact in a scientific role that matters.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Wastewater Process Scientist to join our team in Plymouth. This is a hands-on, impactful role where your scientific expertise will support wastewater operations, protect the environment, and help drive efficiency across our treatment processes.
You'll work closely with operational and delivery teams, combining office-based analysis with site and field-based activity, ensuring wastewater treatment works operate safely, efficiently, and in line with regulatory requirements.
Development and progression are integral to this role. The position operates within a structured progression scheme, with the level of responsibility, technical complexity and autonomy increasing as your experience, capability and confidence grow. You'll receive ongoing support, mentoring and development opportunities, enabling you to advance through defined stages as you build operational knowledge and scientific expertise.
What you'll be doing:
* Providing scientific and technical support to wastewater operational teams to ensure regulatory compliance at best cost
* Visiting sewage treatment works to assess performance, identify issues and recommend improvements
* Delivering performance optimisation projects focused on chemical and energy efficiency
* Supporting environmental risk management, including participation in an out-of-hours pollution response rota
* Implementing and monitoring Trade Effluent control policies and undertaking regulatory sampling
* Investigating pollution incidents, illicit discharges and odour complaints
* Preparing technical reports on operational performance and cost-saving opportunities
* Supporting capital investment projects, innovation trials and new technologies
* Providing scientific advice on sludge imports and external waste streams
This role offers genuine variety, responsibility and the opportunity to apply scientific theory in real-world scenarios.
What we're looking for:
* A minimum of 5 GCSEs (grade 5 or above), including Maths, English and Science
* A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a scientific discipline
* Experience working in a scientific or technical environment
* Full UK driving licence
* Strong communication skills and the ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders
* Comfortable working independently and as part of a team
* Able to prioritise effectively in a reactive, fast-paced environment
What's in it for you?
We offer far more than just a competitive salary. Our benefits include:
* Wastewater Process Scientist progression scheme
* Generous annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell leave
* Company van for work-related travel
* Competitive contributory pension
* Discretionary bonus
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Enhanced family-friendly policies, including shared parental leave
* Employee share schemes (Pennon Group)
* Health & wellbeing support, including Employee Assistance Programme and Champion Health
* Free eye tests and retail discounts
* Access to thousands of lifestyle and retail discounts through Pennon Perks
* Free parking at many sites
Closing Date: 22nd May 2026
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. xsngvjr Own the challenge.