Hydrogeochemist

Grade: UKRI - Band D/S2

Contract Type: 2-year fixed term appointment

Hours: Part-time (see below)

Location: BGS headquarters in Keyworth in Nottingham

A great benefits package is offered

About the role

We have an exciting new opportunity for a 2 year part-time (equivalent to 1 day a week over 2 years), fixed term, post-doc position within the BGS Groundwater Team, based out of our Keyworth office. The role will be to lead a field-based investigation assessing the presence of microplastics in groundwater. You will work with BGS on a project for an important external client, planning and leading the fieldwork as well as data interpretation and reporting results from the study to the client. There will be a requirement for flexibility to undertake field work for up to a week at a time for two focussed blocks, as well as fieldwork for two other shorter phases during the first 12 months. The second year of the project will be mostly desk-based. There will be flexibility for remote working in agreement with your line manager.

Having recently completed your PhD on the topic of microplastics in groundwater, this is an opportunity to develop your research further in this area as a postdoc. You will have expert knowledge of the latest methods used for sampling and analysing microplastics in groundwater, the limitations of these methods and the importance of rigorous QC/QA.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Planning and leading field investigations for assessing the presence of microplastics in groundwater
• Working with third party lab to ensure data quality is of the highest standard
• Data QA/QC for microplastic analysis
• Data analysis and interpretation of groundwater microplastics results
• Leading on reporting to client and consulting regularly with the project manager and wider team

About you

The following specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post will be assessed at shortlist (S) stage, interview (I) stage, or both (S&I).

Essential

• PhD in groundwater quality or closely related discipline (S&I)
• Experience of undertaking groundwater sampling fieldwork in the UK and working as part of a team (S&I)
• Experience in developing and using groundwater microplastic sampling techniques (S&I)
• Experience in interpreting groundwater microplastic datasets and leading research outputs on this topic (S&I)
• You can work independently, but know when to consult to deliver results (S&I)
• UK drivers’ licence and are comfortable with driving vehicles for fieldwork (S)
• You will be committed to a diverse and inclusive approach to work in the geosciences (S&I)

Desirable

• Previous experience undertaking sample preparation of waters for microplastic analysis (S&I)
• Knowledge of microplastic risks to groundwater in the UK from point and diffuse sources (S&I)
• Experience of undertaking literature reviews on the topic of microplastics in groundwater (S)
• Experience in undertaking work at UK water company sites (S)

The closing date for receipt of applications is 23rd July 2025. Interviews are expected to be held early August in Nottingham.

To apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

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