Water scientist

Zulu Ecosystems’ mission is to regenerate natural ecosystems responsibly so that the planet and its communities can thrive. We combine proprietary technology and domain expertise with on-the-ground relationships to mobilise landowners, investors, government bodies, and communities around large scale nature restoration programmes. Doing the right thing for nature and people is at the heart of our work, and we apply peer reviewed and novel scientific methods to scope, plan and support delivery of on-the-ground regeneration projects. We use high-quality science to maximise the benefits across carbon sequestration, biodiversity uplift, nature-based climate risk solutions and positive outcomes for communities. We have already delivered projects in woodland creation and peatland restoration, and are expanding our capabilities to include wetlands, grasslands, and other habitats.

What we stand for

• NATURE: Nature is at the heart of everything we do. It grounds our decisions, reminds us of the interconnected systems we’re part of, and inspires us to design with care, responsibly, and with long-term thinking. By staying close to nature, we stay close to what truly matters: impact that creates nature positive outcomes.
• INNOVATION: Innovation drives our curiosity, courage, and our ambition. We experiment with science and technology to support us in challenging convention. For us, innovation isn’t about being novel — it’s about creating meaningful progress now for a better tomorrow.
• TRUST: Trust is the foundation of Zulu Ecosystems. We build it through internal engagement with our teams and externally with our clients. People can rely on us to do the right thing, every time. When trust is strong, everything else becomes possible. Trust is the main building block of high performing teams.

We are growing our capabilities on landscape approaches to nature restoration and land use, particularly focused around solving grand challenges relating to water. We are working with water companies, NGOs and local councils to design and deliver large-scale nature restoration projects that improve outcomes in flooding, drought and water quality.

Your mission

We’re seeking a versatile and outcome-focused researcher with expertise in sciences relating to water supply management, flooding, hydrology or hydraulic modelling to develop novel and scalable nature-based solutions approaches for grand challenges in the water space. In this role you will combine the best in academic research with industry tech to develop novel models and methods to improve water outcomes by restoring ecosystems. Your models and insights will inform real-world landscape regeneration projects, help improve outcomes for biodiversity, and help address the impacts of climate change. Working closely with a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and field practitioners, your work will have a real positive impact on people and the planet.

As part of our R&D team, you will work under our Senior Flood Scientist and Head of Applied Science to quantify how nature-based solutions can help mitigate drought and flooding at multiple spatial scales - from landholding to catchment and landscape scales. You will build scalable modelling approaches that can be applied nationally and internationally. In due course, you’ll develop approaches to integrating hydrological and hydraulic models with other types of natural process models (such as models relating to soils, peat and biodiversity), and climate model data.

You will:

• Apply remote sensing data, in-situ data, and hydrological and hydraulic models to understand water dynamics at the catchment and sub-catchment scale.
• Co-design landscape interventions to reduce flood risk and mitigate drought, and build new habitats in collaboration with your science team colleagues and our team of field experts.
• Gather ground-truth data to validate desk-based model analytics.
• Develop partnerships and collaborations with academic research groups, water companies, and other businesses in the field of water science.
• Contribute to improving internal models and research on nature restoration.
• Apply your geospatial knowledge and skills to solving other landscape-level scientific challenges.
• Mentor junior science staff and regularly supervise interns.

Your profile

Requirements:

• A passion for making a positive impact on the planet and solving grand environmental challenges.
• A PhD, or equivalent level of experience, in a discipline related to hydraulic modelling, hydrology, water science, physics, remote sensing, engineering or other similar fields.
• Experience working in Python.
• Knowledge of processing techniques and manipulation of GIS datasets: proficiency in GIS mapping data and software, and experience in geospatial data analysis.
• Experience using relevant geospatial data types, such as LiDAR and land cover.
• Proactive, methodical, and data-driven approach to problem-solving.
• Enthusiasm for working collaboratively with teams comprising different scientific and non-technical backgrounds.
• The ability to communicate complex technical topics effectively to a non-technical audience.

Nice to haves:

• Experience or expertise in hydraulic or hydrological models, hydrogeology or groundwater, or nature-based solutions relating to these.
• Experience with AWS (e.g. s3, Lambda, etc.) and large geospatial datasets (e.g. using cloud-optimised format, manipulating high-resolution spatial data, etc.).
• Experience or expertise in natural capital assessment.

About us

Before you apply: We will only use the personal data you provide to process your application. By emailing us your CV and covering letter, you consent to Zulu Ecosystems using the information you have provided for recruitment purposes. Interested applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Zulu Ecosystems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.