Senior Specialist Scientist Climate & Hydrology

Science & Technology
Lanarkshire
August 11, 2026
Permanent
Urgent

Job Description

We are recruiting for a full timeSenior Specialist Scientist – (Climate and Hydrology Data Science) on a permanent basis

Location:Flexible withregular travel to central belt and/or Dingwall

Your passion has never had a greater purpose

Here at SEPA, we’re connected by a passion that drives us to be purposeful in every action we take – to protect our environment. Through our expertise, we lead projects that make a difference for Scotland, and our workplaces are grounded in respect for that expertise.

That’s why, when you join us as Senior Specialist Scientist – Hydrologist, you’ll discover enriching benefits, meaningful support, and opportunities to learn every day. That’s what it means to be Passionately Purposeful – for our environment, and for your career.

Work that goes beyond your desk

Experts at what we do, we work in a professional way towards our shared goals, knowing the work we do makes a genuine, lasting difference on the environment.

The role of Senior Specialist Scientist (Climate and Hydrology Data Science) is to be responsible for coordinating the provision of expert, robust , technical data and advice to support delivery of SEPA’s climate change projections, mapping and communication in relation to the impacts of climate change on flooding from Surface Water, Small Watercourse, Rivers and the Sea.

Other tasks include:

  • Coordinate the development and continuous improvement of methods for incorporating climate change into SEPA’s flood risk assessment and modelling products and services.
  • Define and implement best practice for the use of UKCP and other climate projection datasets within SEPA’s flooding work.
  • Maintain awareness of emerging research and ensure efficient adoption of relevant advances into operational practice
  • Provide robust technical advice to the Lead Specialist Scientist and senior management to support strategic decision making.
  • Contribute expert scientific submission to the development of environmental policy and/or strategy development within SEPA and promote improvements in regulation and the delivery of integrated national policies and strategies

Respect for your expertise

This is a highly important role within our Evidence & Water Resilience portfolio, which means you’ll need:

  • Degree (or equivalent experience) in climate science, hydrology, or related field such as mathematics
  • Experience in the development and subsequent application of climate projections to flooding, hydrology, or extreme rainfall
  • Understanding of:
    • Hydrological and flood processes
    • Extreme value analysis
    • Climate uncertainty and non-stationarity
    • Climate change impacts on compound hazards
  • Knowledge of current and emerging research and methods in climate impacts

Support that goes beyond the workplace

We’re cultivating a workplace that supports not only your passion and your professional lives, but your personal life. So, you’ll find benefits that make a difference at work and at home. Such as:

  • Hybrid and Flexible working opportunities
  • Up to 35 days annual leave and 7 additional public holidays each year (pro rata)
  • Paid time off to support your Wellbeing and enable you to Volunteer in your community
  • Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
  • Progressive Family Friendly policies
  • Training & development to enablecolleagues to improve their skills, competencies and knowledge to perform at their best.

Plus, many more lifestyle benefits such as 24/7 access to an online employee discount platform, credit union facilities and access to a Cycle to Work Scheme.

Passionately you. Purposefully supportive

SEPA is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and good relations in everything it does – as a community leader, as a provider and commissioner of services, and as an employer.

Passionately Purposeful about Scotland’s environment – and your career.

Protecting our environment, promoting our work, and supporting our people, working at SEPA means being part of an organisation that’s grounded in respect for your expertise – and your wellbeing. So you can be your best, and make the biggest impact.

We recruit solely based on merit. Our shortlisting process is conducted on an anonymous basis.Please ensure that you include all relevant information when you apply.

We support flexible workingarrangements to help you maintain a healthy balancebetween career and homelife. This includes workingpart time, reduced hours, job sharing, working remotely.As a flexible first employer we are open to havingconversations about flexible working arrangementsthat work for you and SEPA from day 1 of youremployment with us.

Weareproudtobea’DisabilityConfident’employerandwillworktoidentifyandimplementreasonableadjustmentsandequipmenttosupportyou in the role that you do.

Applicants with a visual impairment can request job descriptions and application forms in Braille, large print or on tape.

For the security and wellbeing of our colleagues, successful candidates willundergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks including a level one Disclosure Scotlandcheck.

Location

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