Wye Catchment Living Labs programme
Research Assistant in Water Quality and Pollution Management
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Company Description
Wye Catchment Living Labs is a collaborative environmental research initiative focused on understanding and improving water quality and managing pollution within the Wye river catchment. The programme brings together researchers, local stakeholders, and policymakers to test practical, evidence-based solutions in real-world settings. Work is carried out across the catchment to monitor environmental change, inform sustainable land and water management, and support biodiversity. Team members contribute to applied research that supports healthier ecosystems and resilient communities.
This new Research Assistant in Water Quality and Pollution Management 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, which are aligned with the priorities of UK Research and Innovation; the Government’s Industrial Strategy; and the University’s research ambitions.
Role Description
This full-time, on-site Research Assistant in Water Quality and Pollution Management role is based in the Greater Bristol Area, United Kingdom. The Research Assistant will support field and laboratory investigations related to water quality monitoring, pollutant identification, and ecosystem impacts. Daily tasks include collecting and processing water and sediment samples, running laboratory analyses, maintaining equipment, and accurately recording data. The role also involves data organization and analysis, preparing figures and summaries, and contributing to technical reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders. The Research Assistant will collaborate with the wider research team, support project logistics, and engage professionally with partners and local communities as needed.
Qualifications
- Strong Analytical Skills and Data Analysis capabilities for interpreting water quality and pollution-related datasets.
- Solid Research Skills, including experimental design support, literature review, and systematic data collection.
- Laboratory Skills relevant to water quality testing, sample handling, and safe use of analytical instruments.
- Effective Communication Skills for clear documentation, collaboration with team members, and preparation of written materials.
- Relevant academic background (e.g., environmental science, hydrology, ecology, chemistry, or related field), or equivalent practical experience.
- Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to follow standard operating procedures and health and safety guidelines.
- Comfort with fieldwork in varying weather conditions and environments, including travel within the catchment as required.
- Experience with statistical software or GIS tools, and familiarity with UK or EU water quality standards, is beneficial.
- You should be able to work and communicate efficiently with other researchers, including supervisors, students, technicians, and postdoctoral researchers who may have very different backgrounds to your own.
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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 help implement, monitor and assess the impact of interventions on water quality, both locally and at a catchment scale, by undertaking laboratory-based, field-based, and to a lesser degree desk-based activities.
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 visualization, and mapping.
Where you will be working
UWE Bristol is a campus-based University, with vibrant campus communities that are central to student life.
In this role, you’ll be based at our modern Frenchay Campus where we’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities designed to help both staff and students succeed.
This role is based on campus (or remote for fieldwork) 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. Based in vibrant Bristol, our ambitions are to make a positive difference to our planet, transforming futures through actions and solving real world challenges.
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We offer a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, very generous annual leave, and career average pension schemes, as well as retail savings, an 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. Diversity is our strength, enhancing creativity, decision-making, and problem-solving. Join our supportive community and thrive.
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.
Salary offers are made in line with the University’s salary assessment guidelines, reflecting your relevant skills and experience in parity with colleagues.
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. Guidance on acceptable documents is available via the Home Office Right to Work Checklist. Unfortunately, this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
Next Steps
We’d love to hear from you - if this role excites you, please complete our application form as soon as possible and tell us how your skills and experience meet the criteria listed in the Person Specification, using clear and relevant examples wherever possible. Apply on UWE's website here: Job Search
We’ll keep you informed of the outcome by email once shortlisting is complete.
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