Senior Hydrologist

Locations: Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Leeds, London, Manchester, Reading, Sheffield

Our client is looking for an experienced Senior Hydrologist to join its Water Resources and Flooding team. The role offers the opportunity to work on technically challenging projects across the UK and internationally, supporting major water companies, regulators and clients within the water and hydropower sectors.

The successful candidate will work across a broad range of hydrology, water resources and climate resilience projects, while having the opportunity to develop their technical, project management and client-facing skills.

The Role

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the delivery of hydrology and water resources projects and providing technical advice across a range of areas.
• Undertaking low-flow assessments and water systems modelling to assess water availability during drought conditions.
• Supporting the implementation of hydrological forecasting systems.
• Assessing future changes in climate variables using global and regional climate projections.
• Delivering flood hydrology studies, including consideration of climate change impacts.
• Supporting hydropower feasibility studies, including design flood estimation and energy generation assessments.
• Undertaking climate change risk and impact assessments for assets and portfolios.
• Preparing high-quality technical reports and presentations for clients.
• Leading or contributing to bids and proposals across water resources, environmental and engineering projects.
• Providing technical oversight, mentoring and support to less experienced colleagues.
• Developing project management and business development skills through engagement with clients and regulatory stakeholders.

About You

The successful candidate will have:

• A relevant degree in Hydrology, Geography, Mathematics, Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered status (or approaching Chartered status) with a recognised professional institution.
• Proven experience within hydrology, water resources or a closely related discipline.
• Knowledge of low-flow hydrology, rainfall-runoff modelling and/or climate change impact assessment.
• Experience applying UKCP18 and/or CMIP5/6 climate projections would be advantageous.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills.
• A pragmatic approach to technical challenges and an interest in innovation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to manage workloads effectively and deliver high-quality technical outputs.

Desirable Experience

• Previous consultancy experience within water resources and hydrology.
• A postgraduate qualification in hydrology, water resources management or a related discipline.
• Understanding of UK water resources planning and associated regulatory requirements.
• Experience with rainfall-runoff modelling packages such as GR6J, Catchmod or PDM.
• Experience with water systems modelling packages such as Aquator, WEAP or Pywr.
• Coding, statistical analysis or data modelling experience.

Why Consider the Opportunity?

The role offers the opportunity to work on a varied portfolio of technically challenging projects while developing both technical and commercial skills. Our client provides structured support for career development through mentoring, professional training and exposure to increasingly senior technical, project management and client-facing responsibilities.

The wider team brings together expertise across hydrology, water resources, climate resilience, flood risk, hydraulic modelling, hydrogeology and water quality, providing opportunities to broaden your experience and work alongside specialists across the water sector.

Benefits

• Competitive pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Income protection
• Private medical insurance
• Health cash plan
• Flexible benefits package
• Annual bonus opportunities
• 33-35 days’ annual leave including public holidays, depending on level
• Ability to buy or sell additional annual leave
• Professional institution subscription
• Extensive technical training and development opportunities
• Employee ownership and associated long-term benefits
• Enhanced family and carers’ leave
• Employee discounts and savings schemes
• A range of wellbeing and lifestyle benefits

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.