Environmental monitoring
Our Science & Strategy Directorate is split into five specialist areas: marine, chemistry, environmental quality, ecology and hydrology. Each team in the Science & Strategy Directorate specialises in one of these key areas. The role and person specification information provided below is generic - specialist knowledge relating to the specific area of science will also be required.
Science roles are based across Scotland but most are in SEPA’s larger offices.
Our Assistant Scientists undertake environmental sampling, monitoring, data processing and reporting, to prescribed standards, in support of SEPA’s environmental monitoring and assessment duties.
Minimum entry requirements include an Higher National Diploma in a related science, one year of experience in an environmental analysis role and a broad understanding of science with more detailed knowledge specific to the tasks of your role.
Our Scientists perform environmental monitoring, assessment and reporting work relevant to an environmental science function. This includes undertaking scientific surveys and analysis of environmental samples, reporting analytical data and providing advice and information on its environmental significance.
Scientists participate in development work and investigative studies by assessing environmental quality and liaising with internal and external customers. They also provide scientific advice and information to internal customers - particularly regulatory staff.
Candidates should have a degree in a relevant science discipline, a minimum of two years of scientific work experience and specialist knowledge of science procedures in a specific field of work.
Our Senior Scientists provide expert scientific and technical information and advice as required and may occasionally undertake complex or unusual scientific analysis. They may also be required to lead investigative studies, assess environmental quality and liaise with internal and external customers.
Senior Scientists also participate in unit, functional and external task and working groups (often as lead contact for a scientific or technical issue) and may supervise a small team or group of staff focusing on managin more junior members of the science team.
Candidates should have a degree in a relevant science discipline, a minimum of five years of scientific work experience, specialist scientific knowledge and an understanding of relevant legislation.
Our Senior Specialist Scientists focus on a specialist scientific area. They provide expert scientific and technical information and advice as required and may occasionally undertake complex or unusual scientific analysis.
Senior Specialist Scientists lead investigative studies, assessing environmental quality and liaising with internal and external customers. Part of this role also involves participation in unit, functional and external task and working groups (often as lead contact for a scientific or technical issue) and may supervise a small team or group of staff.
Candidates must have a degree in a relevant science discipline and a minimum of five years of relevant scientific work experience. Due to the nature of this post we also require candidates to demonstrate specialist knowledge in a specific scientific area including any legislation relevant to this area in order to be able to provide expert level advice to both internal and external customers.
The role of a Principal Scientist is to provide advanced expert level scientific, technical and professional information and advice on their scientific specialism. They will often lead scientific development for a specialist area, ensuring integration with various SEPA departments and achieving all relevant outcomes. They also lead on scientific projects or research activities, acting as a point of liaison between internal and external customers.
Candidates must have a degree in a relevant science discipline and five years of experience which should include specialist working knowledge of their scientific area of specialism. Candidates should also be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of the legislation and policy relating to this type of role. As the Principal Scientist will be expected to lead on scientific development and implement new European and domestic legislation considerable liaison with external stakeholders and an understanding of relevant policy and legislation (and how it is made) is required.