Process Scientist - Waste Water

Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland.

Most people don’t think too much about how we clean wastewater before it reaches Scotland’s rivers and seas.

But Scottish Water does. In fact, it’s all we think about.

Want to join us? As a Wastewater Process Scientist, you’ll join the team managing the Aberdeen area, leading our Operations colleagues with Process Science and Engineering initiatives, beating wastewater and biosolids compliance targets, and overcoming operational challenges.

Provision of operational and scientific expertise to Wastewater Operations to help maintain treatment works compliance, responding to failures or operational emergencies.

You’ll organise & complete regulatory failure investigations to identify and resolve the root cause of the non‑compliance, helping to lead our response to learn and put things right.

Monitor asset performance, through sampling, analysis of scientific data and leading initiatives to maintain and improve performance.

Extensive use of analytical skills (Excel & Power BI) for forecasting and reporting on all aspects of the asset in relation to effectiveness, efficiency, and performance, highlighting and sharing any areas for improvement with all stakeholders.

Support the continuous improvement process, through stakeholder engagement, meeting attendance & involvement in Waste Water Process Science working groups & improvement initiatives.

Be committed to all health & safety priorities & procedures, as required by the role and support in the continuous improvement of all team health & safety objectives.

A strong process engineering or scientific background, ideally with a relevant degree or experience, and robust knowledge and experience of wastewater and biosolids treatment, processes and instrumentation.

You’ll ideally have a high standard of analytical and problem‑solving skills, clear and confident communicator and experience in report writing. It is key that you will be able to work with our operators and other internal and external stakeholders, and hold strong interpersonal and influencing skills.

The role requires a full clean UK driving licence and a personal vehicle insured and available for business use.

While the work we do is important, we know it’s not the only thing that matters. That’s why we make sure you have everything you need to find a good work‐life balance.

You’ll get plenty of time to recharge with 38 days of holiday every year (including public holidays). And you can even buy up to five more if you need a little extra time. You can also take time off to volunteer in your community.

When it comes to major life events we have family‑friendly policies around adoption, maternity, and parental leave. And for the everyday? We embrace flexible working.

For your future, there’s our pension (the ‘know‑what‑you’ll‑get‑when‑you‑retire’ kind), and life assurance.

As for some nice extras? You can expect an annual company bonus. Not to mention access to SW Splash – handy rewards that can save you money on holidays, bills, and shopping.

This role will be a Grade 6. If you’re new to Scottish Water, you’ll join us on a starting salary of £36,410. Performance‑driven pay progression would then allow you to move through the range to a maximum of £46,990.

If you’re interested in this role – or know someone else who might be - we’ll be accepting applications until midnight on the 5th January 2026.

We operate Balanced Hybrid working at Scottish Water and we encourage people to work half their time in a Scottish Water location.

Job offers at Scottish Water are conditional, and will be confirmed on completion of our pre‑employment screening, e.g. referencing, criminal record checks, license checks, etc. Screening is conducted on our behalf by a third party, and must be completed before your start date. Don’t worry - we’ll only start these checks once you’ve accepted an offer.

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