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Copyright © 2026
Copyright © 2026
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Salary - £61,399 to £65,157
Hybrid working (50/50), Permanent
Location: Wallingford, Oxfordshire
Alternative Locations: Lancaster, Edinburgh or Bangor
Closing date for applications, Monday 9 February 2026. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.
UKCEH is looking for an experienced Principal Hydrologist to join our team of talented individuals, contributing to scientific discovery and generating the data, insights and solutions that researchers, businesses and governments need to solve complex environmental challenges.
As a Principal Hydrologist we need your help to shape the future of field hydrology research in the UK and beyond. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience to influence the future science of floods and droughts and develop your own portfolio of research into process hydrology and geomorphology.
You’ll be joining our Water and Climate Science group. UKCEH hosts the largest community of hydrological research scientists in the UK and is the national focal point for hydrological data and analysis. We continue to build on an internationally recognised portfolio of experimental catchments and long‑term observational networks developed over more than 50 years.
Within this environment, you’ll be working alongside the core FDRI team made up of more than 30 talented and collaborative individuals who together provide a wide range of scientific, technical and project management expertise.
You will have a research background in field hydrology or geomorphology, and a deep interest in understanding the science of floods and droughts. A good understanding of hydrological data analysis and modelling would be valuable, and you will be experienced in explaining complex ideas to non-specialist audiences. We welcome applications from people working either in research or as hydrological practitioners.
Your main responsibilities will include:
The £38m Floods & Droughts Research Infrastructure (FDRI) project is building a world-leading hydrological observatory in the UK. We are already advanced with scope, planning and implementation. You will join our implementation team to take a scientific lead in making sure the new FDRI Observatory provides the data and insights that will transform flood and drought research for the 21st century. You will work closely with our external Catchment Champion teams and the wider hydrological community.
New instruments are being installed in 3 catchments (the Chess, the Upper Severn, and the Tweed). The next stage (and the focus of your role in 2026) is to add to this initial design so that the FDRI catchments can be used to tackle the most pressing scientific questions on flood and drought processes in the UK. In 2027, when data starts to flow, your scientific knowledge will help us to make sure that the instrumentation is working correctly, and you will initiate pilot studies to help us show the value of the new instrumentation in addressing important hydrological questions. As we approach the operational phase (from 2028 onwards), you will develop a portfolio of research (probably with external partners) that uses some aspects of the FDRI infrastructure. You will also be encouraged to develop your own portfolio of field hydrology projects that tackle the questions of flood or drought processes in other locations or from other perspectives. You will publish papers on your work and act as an ambassador for FDRI with the science and practitioner community and beyond.
For the role of Principal Hydrologist, we’re looking for somebody who has:
You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that’s committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.
Working for UKCEH is rewarding
We appreciate the continuous dedication and contributions of our staff, which is why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes financial incentives and wellbeing-oriented perks, such as:
Apply today!
If this opportunity resonates with you and aligns with your personal career goals, the team would love to receive your application. Please apply by submitting your CV along with a supporting statement (300 – 500 words) covering the following:
What hands‑on field experience do you have in hydrology, and what key knowledge or skills have you gained from this work?
Can you describe your experience working on complex projects involving multiple organisations, and what you learned from collaborating across different teams or stakeholders?
Our Commitment to Inclusion
At UKCEH, we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and circumstances. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from neurodivergent candidates and people with disabilities, and we’re happy to provide adjustments or support at any stage of the recruitment process - just let us know. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we’d love to hear from you anyway. You may be just the right fit for this role or another within our wider team.
Please note: We welcome applications from international candidates, this role is open for sponsorship and may also qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. Additionally, if you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.