Process Scientist Placement

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to deliver safe, high-quality drinking water to millions of customers every day?

As a Process Scientist Industrial Placement at Thames Water, you'll gain hands-on experience helping to protect water quality from source to tap while working alongside experienced scientists on real-life operational challenges.

What you’ll be doing across your placement year

• Water quality monitoring from the source to service reservoir.
• Investigating water quality failures/events at company assets and raising on the asset DWSP (Drinking Water Safety Plan).
• Provide recommendations to both internal and external departments on how events/failures can be prevented in the future.
• Providing technical support to Production and Capital Delivery schemes to ensure that water quality requirements are met.
• Supporting internal water treatment works audit process (Drinking Water Safety Plan) and conducting end-to-end treatment reviews.
• Represent the company in meetings with stakeholders to build awareness both internally and externally.
• Maintain the reputation of the Thames Water brand.
• Undertake out-of-hours technical support on a one-in-six rota for which appropriate training will be given.

Why choose Thames Water?

This isn't a placement where you'll spend a year observing from the sidelines. You'll work on real investigations, contribute to water quality improvements, collaborate with operational teams and gain insight into how one of the UK's largest water companies delivers safe drinking water to millions of customers every day.

What you should bring to the role

To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need is:

• Degree (or equivalent/ working towards) in a Scientific or Engineering discipline.
• A full driving licence, access to own vehicle and business travel insurance is required due to travel across the Thames Valley Region.

We’re looking for enthusiastic and curious individuals who enjoy working with others and learning new skills. You’ll be someone who likes sharing ideas, asking questions, and contributing as part of a supportive and diverse team.

Base Location:

This placement is based at either Hampton or Walton Water Treatment Works and involves travel to sites across West London, giving you exposure to different parts of our water treatment and supply network.

Hours:

36 hours a week

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive Salary of £23,000 per annum
• Duration of Placement: October 2026 until September 2027
• 24 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

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