Graduate Geochemist

SLR is hiring a Graduate Geochemist to support mine water and environmental geochemistry projects through site investigations, water quality analysis, geochemical modelling, and technical reporting within its global environmental consultancy team.

SLR’s well established hydrology and hydrogeology team boasts a wealth of expertise in mine water geochemistry. This includes the prediction, assessment and treatment of neutral and acid rock/mine drainage (ARD/AMD), supported by integrated knowledge across hydrogeology, hydrology and process engineering.

The mine water team provides specialist services primarily to the mining and minerals sector, as well as to the energy, industry and the built environment where mine water and legacy contamination issues are present.  The geochemists also work extensively in areas such as passive treatment solutions, solute transport (groundwater), pit lake and surface water chemistry prediction using bespoke modelling developed by SLR. These services are fundamental to SLR’s outstanding technical delivery to a diverse range of clients and objectives.

Due to a steadily increasing mine water workload we currently have opportunities for an enthusiastic and motivated graduate to join our busy geochemistry and mine water team. The successful candidate will work under the expert mentorship of our industry leading professionals.

You will have a great opportunity to build your technical skills and practical understanding of mine water chemistry and water quality management. SLR’s structured career framework will aid your professional developments and opportunities to progress with biannual promotion rounds.

The mine water team are instructed by clients across the UK and abroad, this opportunity is an excellent prospect for the successful candidate to gain experience across a diverse range of mine water and ARD-related projects, across different commodities and geographic areas.

The role

Based in London, Nottingham , Bristol or Edinburgh. You will have a great opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge gained during your degree/masters/PhD – or to build on any placement or post-graduation commercial experience you have gained.

With support from senior colleagues, you will contribute to a range of mine water related activities including:

• Assist in the design and implementation of site investigations including soil, groundwater, and surface water sampling including mine-affected environments

• Commission geochemical analysis and interpret the resulting laboratory data

• Support geochemical assessments associated with soil/rock/sediment and water quality including mine water and drainage from other industrial sites.

• Prepare technical reports, including factual and interpretive documents

• Contribute to data management, validation, and visualization

• Liaise with project teams, clients, and subcontractors as required

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations

• Use of geochemical modelling packages to support water quality assessments associated with mine water and ARD/metal leaching assessments where required

The nature of the role and the sites worked on mean that there may be occasional site work away from home for short periods.

About us

SLR is a global leader in performing geochemical assessments and contribute regularly to globally recognised conferences. We are a consultancy with 4000+ employees across 6 regions, in over 125 countries. Our ‘one team’ culture is at the heart of our business, providing a collaborative and supportive environment for professional development.

Along with competitive salaries, our staff enjoy a comprehensive benefits package with a company pension plus excellent healthcare offering, travel and life insurance and a structured career framework with regular reviews offering outstanding opportunities for progression.

Alongside 25 day’s annual leave, with additional flexible bank holidays, we offer flexible, agile and hybrid working which enables staff to tailor hours worked around core hours, with family friendly policies help balance the needs of professional and home life.

About you

To be successful, we would envisage that you would be able to demonstrate the following:

• A degree (BSc, MSc or PhD) in Geochemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, or a related discipline which contain a significant geochemical component or modules

• A relevant undergraduate or postgraduate thesis or major project that includes elements of geochemistry, aqueous chemistry, mineral–water interaction, or environmental systems

• Preference for the candidate to have completed a relevant thesis which includes a proportion of environmental chemistry and/or geochemistry would be desirable but not essential

• Demonstrable understanding of geochemical processes relevant to mine water would be desirable but not essential

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

• Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Microsoft office packages and GIS). A knowledge of geochemical modelling software is desirable but not essential as training will be provided

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• A proactive attitude and willingness to learn

• Full UK driving licence (or working towards obtaining one)

• Flexibility and willingness for occasional project related travel - UK & international

If you are interested in applying and you have a full UK driving licence, we would love to hear from you.

Culture & Inclusion at SLR

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer, and our expectations go beyond purely complying with legislation. Through our Regional C&I Committees, Global Council and Employee Networks, we foster an inclusive environment where all people regardless of their background can thrive.

We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background, including those from groups that are currently under-represented at SLR, such as people identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous peoples, ethnic minority groups, women, and people with visible or invisible disabilities, including those who are neurodivergent.