The role
This is a 3 month opportunity for a registered PhD student to work on a real world example of evidence-based environmental management. The placement will focus on the in combination effects of chemicals in the water environment, developing a strategy to account for the combined effects of contaminants in water quality to better assess risk and develop monitoring strategies for risk assessments.
In addition to its statutory monitoring for established priority substances, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) uses non-target screening to assess risks from emerging contaminants. The screening can account for over 2500 substances including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, recreational drugs, fungicides, vet medicines and others, giving an insight on the complexity of the chemical mixtures in water environment. Many of the chemicals are widespread but at levels below their known individual toxic thresholds. While individually they would not be consider a hazard, there is growing evidence that the combination of certain substances may result in different risk profiles.
The placement provides an opportunity to gain insight into the functioning of NRW and evidenced based decision making within the Welsh environment context. The placement holder will work in the Integrated Water Planning team - an interesting and diverse team within NRW’s Sustainable Water and Nature Group. Their contributions to tackling the nature and climate emergencies will be highly valued.
The placement holder will be expected to work independently within parameters and guidelines provided by NRW. Working closely with a wide range of colleagues the successful candidate will build valuable working relationships, broaden their knowledge of this sector, and enhance their existing transferable skills. Where relevant to the work and possible NRW will facilitate working with stakeholders relevant to the work area such as Welsh Government.
They will join the Integrated Water Planning (IWP) Team managing a diverse range of programmes including Water Framework Directive Regulations, River Basin Management Plans, Water Quality Modelling, Geomorphology, National Environment Programme (NEP), Price Review NEP planning and delivery of Welsh Government’s Nature and Climate Emergencies funding programme. The team provides technical and advisory support across our Operational and Evidence, Policy, and Permitting directorates.
This is a fantastic opportunity to understand how research and evidence is used to inform decisions. With support from their NRW supervisor, the researcher will be expected to take responsibility for managing and delivery of work commitments during the placement period.
To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Thomaz Andrade at thomaz.andrade@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face to face meetings or training will be planned in advance.
Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams
Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.
What you will do
This placement aims to explore options to incorporate mixture effects into the method to identify contaminant of emerging concern, and test how these methods could be applied to NRW’s chemical database. The work would involve:
- Literature review on methods to incorporate mixture effects and suggest a method to account for their effect that is suitable to NRW’s data.
- Critical review of an existing trial by NRW grouping substances by their mode of action
- Review the existing database and suggest a shortlist of substances based on the suggested criteria.
- Undertaking health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post
- Commitment to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post
While there is a clear objective, the format of the outputs can be flexible for the applicant to draw on their own experience, skills and individual interests. Outputs should include recommendations for policy development (on the options to incorporate mixtures in chemicals assessments), a draft shortlist of emerging contaminants from NRW's database incorporating mixture effects.
Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) can only accept applications to the PhD student placement programme from registered students who are within their funded period. Before applying all applicants must:
- seek approval from their academic supervisor
- confirm the method of payment with their finance department
- confirmation they can take a study break for the duration of the placement
In your application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using the STAR method.
- Excellent research skills
- Ability to analyse complex information and data
- Ability to write clearly and concisely
- Ability of presenting technical material in an accessible format
- Creative thinking
- Ability to apply an innovative approach
A basic understanding of aquatic ecosystems and toxicology would be beneficial but not mandatory.
Welsh Language Level requirements:
Please note if you do not meet the level A1 requirement i.e., ability to understand basic phrases and ability to pronounce Welsh names correctly, then NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Please keep reading
We’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
We are committed to equal opportunities and we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, so we make sure that our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale and annual increments are paid each year.
We want our staff to grow professionally and personally. From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on variety of topics, stay current in their field and continue to learn as their career progresses.
We are a bilingual organisation which complies with the Welsh Language Standards. Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills.
You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally. Applications are welcome from individuals who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time.
