Associate Environmental Scientist

SLR is a global leader in sustainability solutions, working with clients to help make sustainability happen, within a collaborative, people‑first culture.

Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced Hydrogeologist or Environmental Scientist to join our established Hydrology & Hydrogeology team, delivering high‑profile water environment and hydrogeological assessment projects. This position is aimed at Senior, Associate, or Principal level.

Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London or Stoke, the role will focus primarily on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), hydrogeological investigations, water environment assessments and abstraction licensing, with additional exposure to construction environmental management, groundwater permitting, as well as a small amount of wider environmental work spanning renewables, infrastructure, power, industrial and built environment sectors.

The Role

You’ll lead the delivery of water environment and hydrogeology projects from planning through to detailed assessment and reporting, working closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams. The role includes:

• •Project and technical leadership across EIA water chapters, hydrogeological assessments and monitoring programmes
• •Client management and proposal support, helping build strong relationships and repeat work
• •Mentoring and coaching less experienced scientists and hydrogeologists
• •Desk‑based analysis and reporting, alongside site visits across the UK, including walkovers, monitoring installations and hydraulic testing

You’ll collaborate with colleagues across Environmental & Earth Sciences, Planning, ESIA and Engineering, along with Global Advisory, on complex and impactful projects, with opportunities for European and international exposure.

Rewards & Benefits

SLR’s ‘One Team’ culture is at the heart of our business, providing a collaborative and supportive environment for professional development. Through a structured career framework, regular performance reviews, and full support toward chartership, professional qualifications and licenses, we offer outstanding opportunities for long‑term career progression.

Our flexible benefits & reward package includes:

• •Competitive salary with discretionary bonus
• •Company pension
• •Private medical insurance
• •Life, income, and travel insurance
• •Salary sacrifice car lease and cycle‑to‑work schemes

We believe sustainable careers need balance, that’s why we offer:

• •Flexible, hybrid and agile working
• •25 days’ annual leave plus flexible public holidays
• •Buy or sell leave options
• •Core working hours
• •Cross‑border remote working and sabbatical opportunities

Family life and wellbeing matter at SLR:

We provide enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, and specialist support for mental health, stress, and menopause - supporting our people both professionally and personally.

About You

You’ll bring:

• •Substantial experience delivering UK water environment or hydrogeology projects, ideally including EIA
• •A degree in Hydrogeology, Environmental Science, Geoscience or a related field, and working toward or holding Chartered status
• •Experience contributing to hydrogeological studies, water monitoring, risk assessments, abstraction licensing or similar technical work
• •Knowledge of water‑related legislation and regulatory requirements in the UK
• •Experience with relevant GIS, analysis or modelling software (desirable)
• •Strong technical reporting, communication and problem‑solving skills
• •Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams
• •A driving licence that permits you to legally drive in the UK for site visits

Culture & Inclusion

Inclusion is fundamental to who we are. We are committed to equal opportunities and foster a workplace where everyone can thrive, supported by active Culture & Inclusion Committees and Employee Networks. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are a Disability Confident Committed employer. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.

If this role feels like a great fit for your experience and ambitions, we’d love to hear from you.