Closing Date 2026-06-17 Job Title: Process Scientist (Wastewater) Job Type: Permanent Hours: 37 Salary: £34,100 Location: This is a Hybrid role based around Falmer, Uckfield, Tonbridge & Hastings The role of the Process Scientist is to be the technical experts that drive Wastewater compliance at Southern Water, mitigating the risk of future compliance breaches. You will investigate pollution incidents at Wastewater Treatment Works and collaborate with operators to protect the environment and liaise with field performance managers, area operational managers and the pollution team to minimise and prevent any future pollutions. The role of the Process Scientist is to review and anticipate compliance risks, protect the environment and drive capex investment at the Wastewater Treatment Works. The successful candidate will provide technical support on all aspects of wastewater, sludge treatment, waste management and R&D and is responsible for optimisation of chemicals, power, manpower whilst ensuring best possible compliance. This role comes with the requirement to be part of a standby rota, and you will also need a clean driving license and access to a vehicle. Accountabilities: To provide technical advice to Operations on the operation of Wastewater Treatment processes including setting individual site Operating Plans, Site Process Activity Manual, monitoring of compliance, power and chemical costs, investigating and advising of corrective actions To carry out Pollution investigations and inform stakeholders the outcome of the investigations and liaise with EA To carry out professional reviews of exceptional data and wastewater trends, taking appropriate action as required, to ensure any process problems/possible breaches and pre-empted and to proactively highlight early warning triggers to possible compliance breaches. To carry out full investigations with root, cause, analysis in the case of a breach, site investigation report or process audit; making recommendations and following up on any scientific actions required and flagging all other issues to the manager To analyse samples and make recommendations as to solutions to mitigate risks and issues To review UV data for EA submission To carry out Critical and Risk site visit reports and feed recommendations to Area Operational Managers for decisions on action To identify key capital investment requirements for Southern Water in order to ensure that Wastewater Treatment works remain compliant and so are a key role in ensuring Southern Water meets its serviceability requirements and targets. Attend HAZOP and ALM meetings for capital schemes To provide technical and procedural expertise to on-site contractors and be an integral part of a Capital Scheme or remedial work on any Southern Water wastewater treatment works and to be responsible for ensuring the site remains compliant whilst work is implemented and carried out by Contractors. Attend commissioning meetings To review and advise on Operator schedules and Tankering To carry out yearly Descriptive Site Assessments according to the EA procedures and provide report To train plant operators on theory or practice of technical aspects of plant and laboratory processes to ensure they have the knowledge and understanding to perform their role effectively Skills and Competencies: Technical: Requires an understanding of relevant area of specialism (wastewater, sludge, R&D, trade and waste) Investigative skills: • Scientific testing skills incorporating the use of specialist equipment and procedures • Experienced user of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint • Ability to utilise company specific information systems (e.g. Pi Process Book, process management system) Business Skills: To train plant operators on theory or practice of technical aspects of plant and laboratory processes to ensure they have the knowledge and understanding to perform their role effectively. Personal and Interpersonal Skills: Good communication skills – must be able to translate technical requirements into layman’s terms primarily for plant operators but also for other parts of the business as required Ability to influence and persuade others Qualifications: A Levels, HND or first degree in relevant scientific or engineering discipline 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 Our purpose is big. Our impact is huge. And we know that every single one of us has the power, through our actions, to positively change society and the environment for good. It’s why careers with us have real meaning. Because, if you’re driven and ambitious, we can offer you huge opportunities for personal growth, professional development and constant innovation. Forever evolving. Forever focused on doing the right thing, we empower and encourage everyone to play to their strengths and to help us shape a fair and positive future for all. We believe in Water for Life. If you do too, Dive Right In. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, because delivering water for life is our core purpose. To achieve this, we need 24/7 support in place to resolve incidents quickly and efficiently. All our employees understand the importance of out-of-hours incident support – because when problems appear, fixing them is our top priority. That’s why our people join together and support when and however needed to make sure our customers get the service they deserve. Joining the Southern Water family means you’ll become part of our incident support team. During your interview, your manager will speak to you about any incident support rotas that apply to your position. 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?
