Senior Process Scientist

We’re making a difference:
Together, we can ensure that there is enough water for everyone, now and in the future.

Portsmouth Water is excited to announce an opening for a Senior Process Scientist in our well-respected Compliance Department. As an integral member of our team, you will play a vital role in monitoring our water quality and ensuring we remain fully compliant with Water Quality Regulations. The successful candidate will collaborate with both the Operations and Water Quality Departments to optimise Water Treatment processes, reduce waste, and support ongoing improvements, ensuring we continue to provide our customers with a reliable, high-quality drinking water supply.

• Monitoring and enhancing the operation of water treatment works and assets to ensure water quality meets both internal standards and external regulatory requirements at every stage of treatment, while maximising performance and quality.
• Collaborating closely with field operations staff to optimise treatment processes, ensuring regulatory compliance and delivering the best value.
• Providing guidance and support to the Process Scientist.
• Conducting process audits across water treatment works, reservoirs, and the network, identifying areas for improvement and action.
• Investigating and analysing root causes of water quality compliance issues and incidents, producing detailed reports with recommendations for remedial actions and continuous improvement based on best practices.
• Assisting in the implementation of operating methods, offering support on process optimisation, operational efficiency, and investment needs for both existing and new assets.
• Generating and presenting data and reports to aid in decision-making on technical issues affecting various sites, and collaborating with the Process Science Manager to address business-impacting issues with relevant stakeholders.
• Reviewing and maintaining critical documentation (e.g. Site Parameter Sheets).
• Conducting water quality risk assessments to mitigate risks to both water quality and production, offering advice on operational activities and service recovery during quality events.
• Engaging in site trials and pilot studies.

• A strong understanding of the regulatory framework and principles governing the UK water supply industry.
• Experience in data collection and analysis to investigate scientific issues, with the ability to interpret findings and make informed recommendations.
• Advanced IT skills, particularly in Excel for data analysis, Word and PowerPoint.
• High mathematical proficiency.
• Strong literacy and report-writing skills are essential, with the ability to produce clear, accurate and easily understood written reports.
• Self-driven, proactive, and able to work independently, while also thriving as part of a collaborative team in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent time-management, people, and self-organisation skills, with the ability to adjust priorities as business needs evolve.
• A degree in science, engineering, or equivalent professional experience.
• Previous experience in the water industry, with a detailed understanding of water treatment processes.
• A full driving licence to support travel to various sites.
• National Water Hygiene certification.

We recognise people want to work in a variety of different ways, and that’s why we’re happy to consider flexible working arrangements. Please feel free to talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may be looking for.

Please note, we may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications — so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

We’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we actively encourage applications from all sections of society.

Please be aware, the Company has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Due to the high volume of applications we may receive, we’re unable to respond to every applicant individually. If your application is of interest, we’ll usually be in touch within 4 weeks of receiving it.