Research Assistant in Water Quality and Pollution Management

This role is a 2-year fixed-term role that has been established to help deliver a Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and Welsh Government funded research project working alongside farmers, land managers and local communities to investigate and mitigate for the diverse challenges impacting water quality in the River Wye catchment.

The post relates directly to UWE Bristol’s Research Beacons

You will be a key member of our water and environment research team within the Centre for Sustainable Agri-Food and Environment (SAFE). You will have experience in an area related to the Water Sciences and should be able to demonstrate this clearly in their application. This could include experience of assessing river health, water quality analysis and testing (chemical and/or microbiological), water quality sensors (in situ / sondes), aquatic ecology, biogeochemistry (including soil sciences), and/or catchment monitoring.

About you

You will work as part of an interdisciplinary team (water quality, soil science, ecological assessment, social behavioural research, and farming systems and governance) to help deliver a programme of research specifically related to the implementation of co-designed and co-created living labs on the River Wye.

You will have a BSc in a relevant science subject (essential), ideally with a Master’s level qualification and evidence of undertaking a relevant laboratory and/or field-based research project (desirable).  A practical background is essential, and you should have good laboratory and field skills, with relevant experience of water quality sampling & analysis, and the ability to critically assess data and results.  It would be desirable to have experience of using ArcGIS (e.g. ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, or ArcGIS Online) for spatial analysis, data visualisation, and mapping.

Where you will be working

In this role, you’ll be based at our modern Frenchay Campus

This role is based on campus (or remote for field work) for all your time.

Why UWE Bristol?

We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe.

We offer a wide range of employee benefits as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development.

Add your individuality to ours

UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community.

We’re part of a vibrant, multicultural city and welcome talented people from all backgrounds.

We particularly encourage applications from global majority candidates as we are currently under-represented in this area, however all appointments are made strictly on individual merit.

As a Disability Confident employer, we encourage applications from disabled or neurodivergent candidates.

Further information

If you would like to speak to us to find out more about this role, please contact Dr Robin Thorn on 0117 328 7655 or email: Robin2.Thorn@uwe.ac.uk

Interviews are scheduled to take place at our Frenchay Campus in August 2026

This is a 2 year full time (1.0 FTE) fixed term post until 31/09/2028.

This post is available on a job share basis for applicants wishing to work part time.

Right to Work in the UK

If offered a role, you will need to provide valid documentation confirming your right to work in the UK before employment begins. Unfortunately, this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

Advert information