UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)
Science Asset Management System Lead
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Salary - £50,447 to £53,535
Hybrid working (50/50)
Location: Wallingford, Edinburgh, Lancaster or Bangor (Wales)
Permanent, full-time, part-time options considered
Closing date for applications: 02 October 2026. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early. We may begin reviewing applications from 18 September 2026 and start the selection process before the closing date. If the role remains open, applications received after this initial review period will be considered following the closing date.
About UKCEH
UKCEH is a leading independent research institute with over 600 scientists studying how the natural world works. We take a connected approach across land, water and air to understand environmental systems and build resilience for people and the planet.
About This Role
As our Science Asset Management System Lead, you’ll play a pivotal role in transforming how UKCEH manages and governs its scientific assets. This is a unique opportunity to lead and shape a completely new capability at UKCEH.
Reporting into the Science Director for National Capability and Digital Research, with a co-line management from the Head of Estates and Workplace, you will take ownership of a major new Science Asset Management System being developed through our Flood and Drought Research Infrastructure (FDRI) programme for rollout to the entire organisation.
This is far more than a system management role; you’ll have the opportunity to help us drive and define the future of scientific asset management at UKCEH. You’ll establish new standards, processes and ways of working that support world-leading environmental science. You will create and govern a single, trusted source of information for our scientific assets used across our research and monitoring programmes.
You will work at the intersection of science, operations and digital delivery, collaborating with field teams, laboratories, digital research specialists, finance, procurement, senior scientific leaders and our external equipment and service suppliers, as well as many other stakeholders across our science and central functions. Working with the FDRI team and our lab and field site managers, you’ll drive the successful implementation and adoption of the system, ensuring it becomes an essential tool that improves operational efficiency, strengthens governance and supports smarter investment decisions.
Success in this role will mean building a trusted and valued Science AMS service and data source that enables better asset visibility, stronger maintenance planning, improved compliance, enhanced data quality and greater confidence in long-term capital planning. If you’re motivated by bringing people together, improving processes, delivering meaningful change and creating something that will have lasting organisational impact on our ability to deliver environmental science, this role offers an opportunity to make your mark.
Your main responsibilities will include:
- Lead the ongoing development, governance and operational management of the Science Asset Management System, acting as product owner and service lead.
- Coordinate the implementation, migration and organisation-wide rollout of the AMS, ensuring successful adoption across field, laboratory and science teams.
- Develop and maintain robust scientific asset governance processes, including lifecycle management, maintenance, calibration, risk assessment and disposal.
- Drive improvements in asset data quality, reporting and audit readiness, ensuring accurate and consistent information across the organisation.
- Manage the operational relationship with our supplier, including service performance, change requests, roadmap development and contract governance activities.
- Deliver meaningful reporting, analysis and continuous improvement initiatives that support operational planning, compliance, financial accountability and strategic investment decisions.
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The Science Asset Management System is a significant investment that will transform how scientific equipment, instruments and field assets are managed across the organisation. As the system moves from implementation into operational delivery, you’ll play a leading role in shaping its future direction, capabilities and value to UKCEH.
Starting with the FDRI programme and expanding across the wider organisation, you’ll help move UKCEH from fragmented asset records and local processes to a modern, integrated approach that improves visibility, accountability and decision making. The work you lead will support everything from field monitoring and laboratory operations to maintenance planning, audit readiness, sustainability objectives and future capital investment.
This is an opportunity to influence how a major organisational capability develops, shaping processes, standards and ways of working that will support UKCEH’s science for years to come.
What we’re looking for:
- Experience managing, owning or delivering a business-critical operational system, digital product or service.
- An understanding of asset management, maintenance planning, calibration processes, fault management or equipment governance.
- Proven ability to translate complex user needs into structured requirements, workflows, system improvements and service priorities.
- Experience coordinating system implementation, testing, migration, user training, adoption and continuous improvement activities.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across technical, operational and leadership groups.
- Strong analytical capability, including experience using reporting tools, dashboards, data exports or similar methods to identify issues and drive improvements.
What will help you stand out:
- Experience working with CMMS, EAM, CAFM, asset management, maintenance or inventory management systems.
- Familiarity with SharePoint-based document management and linking structured records to controlled documentation.
- Experience supporting audit, compliance, quality assurance, health and safety or ISO-related processes.
- Knowledge of product ownership, Agile delivery, service management or business change methodologies.
- Experience working with scientific, technical, laboratory or field-based operational environments.
- Understanding of asset lifecycle costing, depreciation, capital planning or risk-based asset management approaches.
How to apply and what happens next
If you’re interested in this role, we’d love to hear from you. You’ll be directed to our Workday portal where you’ll create an account and upload your CV and your responses, on a separate document, to the questions below. This should be uploaded in the same field as your CV. Your responses are an important part of our assessment process, so please take the time to complete them thoughtfully:
A separate cover letter is not required
Use clear, concise examples that demonstrate your personal contribution, relevant skills, qualifications (if applicable) and impact
Limit your responses to a maximum of 150 words per question
Once submitted, our panel will review your application, and please be assured that we are committed to providing an outcome for all applicants, regardless of the result.
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Q1 - This role will involve supporting the rollout and adoption of a new Asset Management System across a diverse organisation. Describe an example where you led or supported organisational change and how you helped users adapt successfully.
Q2 - UKCEH aims to create a single trusted source of information for scientific assets across the organisation. Tell us about a time when you improved data quality, governance, compliance or consistency within a system or process, and what benefits and outcomes you enabled
Q3 - What experience do you have managing or improving a business-critical system, service or operational process? Please explain your role and the results achieved.
Q4 - Describe a time when you worked across multiple teams or functions to deliver a project, system, service or organisational improvement. How did you manage differing priorities, keep people aligned and what was the outcome?
Working at UKCEH is genuinely rewarding
You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute, where your work will have real impact. Our science helps people and the environment to prosper and informs decisions that benefit society as a whole. We’re proud to be custodians of over 60 years of environmental data, and just as proud of the people behind it. You’ll be supported to develop your career, grow your skills and thrive in a collaborative, purpose-driven environment.
What we offer
At UKCEH, we recognise your dedication and provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you both at work and at home. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:
- Generous annual leave - 27 days (rising to 29 days after 5 years) +3 for Christmas closure
- 10% employer pension contribution
- Financial protection through life assurance and income protection
- Enhanced family-friendly policies
- Flexible and hybrid working options (depending on your role)
- Lifestyle perks including dental, gym, retail and cycling discounts
- A commitment to wellbeing, supported by a range of internal initiatives
- Employee Assistance Programme and health benefits, including 24/7 support with remote GP access, mental health, physiotherapy and lifestyle services
- Peer recognition and rewards that celebrate your contribution
- Salary sacrifice agreement benefits including Electric & Plug-in Hybrid vehicle and Cycle2Work schemes
- Interest-free annual travel season ticket loans (terms apply)
Our commitment to inclusion
At UKCEH, we believe everyone should feel welcome and able to be themselves at work. We warmly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. As a Disability Confident employer, we’re happy to support you with any adjustments you may need throughout the recruitment process.
Our approach to AI and applications
We understand that candidates may use AI tools to support their application. We encourage you to ensure your submission reflects your own experience, skills and suitability for the role. Every application that meets the essential criteria will be reviewed by our recruitment panel.
Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.
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