About this role
Closing Date
09/02/2026Job Title: Process Scientist – Wastewater Compliance
Location: Falmer based – The role covers West Sussex area
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Up to £40,000 per annum
Driving Requirement: Clean UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential
About the role
As a Process Scientist, you’ll be a key technical expert supporting wastewater, sludge treatment, and waste management operations. You’ll help anticipate and mitigate compliance risks, investigate pollution incidents, and drive capital investment to improve performance across our sites.
You’ll work closely with Field Performance Managers, Area Operational Managers, and the Pollution Team to ensure environmental protection and continuous improvement.
What you will be responsible for:
- Provide technical advice on wastewater treatment processes, including site operating plans and compliance monitoring.
- Investigate pollution incidents and liaise with the Environment Agency.
- Analyse wastewater data trends and identify early warning signs of compliance risks.
- Conduct root cause analysis and site investigations following breaches or audits.
- Support capital schemes and ensure compliance during contractor works.
- Recommend operational improvements and contribute to innovation and change initiatives.
What you’ll bring to the role:
A Technical Expertise with good understanding of wastewater, sludge, R&D, and trade waste processes with demonstrable experience with scientific testing and specialist equipment. As a strong collaborator, you will have good communication skills and able to translate technical requirements into standard reports for our internal stakeholders. Full training will be provided if you are able to demonstrate some of the key competencies or transferable skills that we require for the role.
Essentials:
- Strong analytical and investigative skills.
- Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to identify and manage compliance and pollution risks.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Additional Requirements specific to the role
Standby Rota: You will be part of our standby rota, details to be shared during interview
About SW
Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025-30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.
You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation
Growth-Oriented
"We understand that great talent comes in many forms. If this role excites you and you share our commitment to delivering sustainable solutions for our communities, please apply—even if your experience doesn’t perfectly match every requirement. We’ll support your growth and development."
If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself (myworkdaysite.com- Introduce Yourself)
Our Commitment to Diversity
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Other facts
About Southern Water
We are one of the largest water and wastewater companies in the South East of England and thrive on the passion and hard work of more than 2,000 employees.
Together we supply 532 million litres of drinking water every day to more than two million customers and treat and recycle 717 million litres of wastewater for more than four million customers in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Water is essential to every aspect of our lives and we're proud to be at the heart of managing water and wastewater services. We drink it, cook with it and use it to clean. Our water supply faces big challenges - the population of the South East is growing fast, and climate change is bringing greater risk of droughts and more extreme weather. It’s a future of more people needing water and wastewater services, with less water to go around.
So, together with our customers and communities, we aim to provide a sustainable, high-quality water and wastewater service that helps us create a resilient future for water in the South East.
Find out more about us:
Website: www.southernwater.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SouthernWater
Twitter: @SouthernWater
Instagram: @southernwatermedia
We use market research tools to improve our service. For more info, visit: https://www.southernwater.co.uk/our-customers/privacy
What you'll do
- As a Process Scientist, you will provide technical advice on wastewater treatment processes and investigate pollution incidents. You will also analyze data trends to identify compliance risks and support capital schemes.
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