City/Town
All
Region
National
Vacancies
1
Salary Minimum
£43,198
Post Type
Permanent
Job ID
32687
Closing date
22 Feb 2026
Published date
03 Feb 2026
Grade
Staff Grade 5
Role type
Science
Post type
Full Time, Part Time, Compressed Hours
Security check
Basic Check
Job description
The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve.
We are seeking an experienced scientist to join our Environment and Human Health research team in the Chief Scientist’s Group.
Challenges to human health from environmental factors, like pollution and climate change, make this an opportune time to join our team and use your expertise to manage current and future pressures from the environment on people’s health.
A core aspect of our work is investigating how harmful factors like pollution may travel through the environment from sites we regulate, so we can understand, anticipate and avoid risks to health. We are seeking someone with a strong scientific background who can help us to plan and undertake research to identify such risks, and to prepare evidence for deciding how to reduce them and protect human health.
As part of your role, you’ll lead research projects that contribute to the Environment Agency’s aims. To help achieve our aims, you’ll develop effective relationships with regulators, industry, research institutions and academics, and will identify new technical needs and opportunities.
Effective communication skills are essential to explain our science to different audiences. You’ll have a passion for acquiring new knowledge and for translating it into workable solutions for existing and emerging challenges.
We are a multidisciplinary team of scientists working across a range of environment and human health topics and situations.
These include: air quality, radioactive substances, antimicrobial resistance, and bathing and shellfish waters. You’ll bring your own specialist knowledge and skills to the team that support our work on existing topics and provide flexibility to address new topics and priorities.
You will be warmly welcomed into our Environment and Human Health team, part of the Research team in the Chief Scientist’s Group.
We’re part of the Environment and Business (E&B) Directorate. We inform and deliver the government’s key environmental objectives, using evidence, expertise, engagement and innovation. We influence policy and legislation, facilitate and enhance integrated delivery, and build trust in the Environment Agency so we can secure resources to do more for the environment.
This is a scientific role that undertakes research and provides technical support to others. You’ll be able to demonstrate:
- A relevant degree, and you are likely to have a PhD, MRes, MSc, or equivalent experience.
- Strong understanding in a relevant environmental discipline e.g. microbiology, air pollution, epidemiology, risk assessment, chemistry, radiochemistry, radioecology.
- Proven skills in data science including methods for analysing, synthesising, and visualising monitoring or modelling data, and for evaluating and interpreting results including statistical significance and uncertainties.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively, and to make decisions and solve problems.
- Ability to communicate and translate complex scientific concepts and results to non-specialist audiences.
- Experience in designing, conducting, and managing research projects and in publishing results and findings.
- Aptitude for cultivating effective relationships with colleagues and external researchers.
- Ability to apply critical thinking, influencing, and initiative to diverse challenges.
You’ll have an incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a suitable role and appropriate training will be given. #LI-DNI
You’ll have an EA Office base location; as a national role, the working location is flexible/hybrid.
We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel; some travel and overnights may be required.
Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact [email protected].
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.
Interviews will be held by MS Teams in March 2026.
If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer an alternative post.
Describe a time when you applied scientific knowledge to design or deliver evidence that informed a decision for internal or external stakeholders.
If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview. Feedback is generally not available at sift stage.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
Describe a time when you had to manage multiple competing priorities and tight deadlines to deliver scientific research for internal customers. What was the outcome?
Describe a time when you had to collect and manage complex scientific information from multiple sources to produce a research output or publication. How did you ensure the data was accurate, presented in a way that met scientific standards, and was accessible to your intended audience?
writing.
Describe a time when you had to communicate and collaborate with experts in a scientific field that was not your own area of expertise. How did you ensure you understood their perspective, conveyed your ideas clearly, and achieved a successful outcome?
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.