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.
The Research Assistant will be a key member of our water and environment research team within the Centre for Sustainable Agri-Food and Environment (SAFE). The Research Assistant 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 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 visualisation, and mapping.
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.
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 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. Based in vibrant Bristol, our ambitions are to make a positive difference to our planet, transforming futures through actions and solving real world challenges.
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, 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: [email protected]
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.
We’ll keep you informed of the outcome by email once shortlisting is complete.
