Summer Internship Programme 2026 – Chemistry

Edinburgh - UK

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 21 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland.

Ready to own your future At Scottish Water our Summer InternshipProgramme empowers you to gain hands-on experience tacklereal challenges and contribute to shaping Scotlands future. This is more than just a summer job itsan opportunity to make a meaningful impact. As part of our teamyoullplay a key role in delivering essential services and infrastructure that help Scotland flourish every day.

Youllbe joining us at a fascinating time as we transform into a more agile innovative organisation that delivers outstanding service providesgreat valuefor money and works in an environmentally sustainable way that goes beyond Net Zero.

Graduating in2027 Kickstart your career with a 12-week summer placement and start building your future today.

Whatyoulldo

Science skills within the water sector are becoming increasingly significant as the world confronts the interlinked threats of climate change resource sustainabilitypollutionand population growth.

Scottish Waters business is inextricably linked to these challenges. We need scientific skills and capabilities to deliver advances in treatment approaches to address future water and wastewater compliance issues support sustainable economic growth and deliver a resilient andgood valueservice for our customers.

Youllget the opportunity to see first-hand how our busy analytical laboratories run day-to-day as our team of 300 samplers scientists and support staff analyse their way through an average of one test every minute.Youllbe able to apply your university studies to a live operational laboratory environment whilst learning from our on-site scientists.

Our chemistry laboratories are accredited to ISO17025 and use a variety of analytical methods includingdifferent typesof chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry radiochemical and other general chemistry techniques.

This is apaid summer internship with an hourly rate of13.45 aligned with the Real Living Wage. The role is typically full-time (35 hours per week) thoughwereopen to discussing flexible working patterns where possible. For a 35-hour week the equivalent annual salary would be approximately24574 pro-rated for the length of the internship.

Whatyoullneed

Youllbe in the penultimate year of your degree (or about to start a Masters) and on course for at least a2:2in a relevant discipline such asChemistry or subjects closely related-plus good people skills.Youllalso need to be available for the full12-week placement starting in June.

Most of allyoullbring curiosity enthusiasm and a real desire to learn along with the motivation to apply whatyourestudying in a practical real-world environment.Youllneed to live within commuting distance ofour labs in Juniper House (Edinburgh) as this role will be aligned to one of our key office locations.

In terms of essential requirementsThatsit.

Butheresthe thing

We receive thousands of applications for our internship roles each year.Sowhat helps candidates stand out

Here are a few things we love to see:

CVs that tell us more than just your grades. Show us whatyouvelearned what interests you and what motivates you.

Cover letters that explain why Scottish Water and why thisparticular internshipappeals to you.

Applications thatdemonstrateour values: Bold Responsible Inspiring and Caring.

Looking out for you

While the work we do is importantitsnot the only thing that matters.Thatswhy we support a healthy work-life balance and flexible ways of working where possible.

Youllgain meaningful experience build your professional network and get a real feel for what a future career at Scottish Water could look like all while being supported by experienced colleagues who want you to succeed.

What happens next

The closing date for applications isSunday 8thFebruary. PleasesubmityourCV and a cover letter (maximum500 words)as part of your application.

If shortlisted final interviews will take place duringFebruary 23rdto March 13thand yesyoullget the chance to ask us plenty of questions too.

If you accept a place on the programmeyoullcomplete pre-employment screening during the Spring including a criminal record check.

All interns will start together inJunefor a12-week Summer Internship finishing at the end ofAugust.Youlltake part in an induction meet fellow interns and colleagues learn about the organisation visit operational sites and hopefully have a lot of fun along the way.

A few final things worth knowing

Research shows that some people avoid applying for jobs unless they can meet every single criteria. If youre interested in this job but dont tick all the boxes apply anyway! We hardly ever hire people who can do every part of a job from Day One. Everyone has a learning curve. So dont rule yourself out!

Let us know if there are any changes we can make to our recruitment process to help you perform at your best. Lots of our people have disabilities or neurodiverse conditions (including some of our recruiters!). Were also aware that some people might be experiencing temporary challenges because of life events like menopause. Were very used to making adjustments so please dont be afraid to ask.

As part of our commitment to developing a flourishing Scotland its important that all our employees are Scottish taxpayers. If you join us your home address will need to be in Scotland. If you dont already live here youll need to commit to moving here within your first three months.

Please note Scottish Water takes the safety health and wellbeing of our employees colleagues and customers very seriously and as such you may be subject to Drug & Alcohol testing in line with our policy.

Finally (finally!) candidates who havent submitted an application in the last 12 months will have their records removed from our recruitment database. You wont need to do anything. Your data will be automatically deleted.

Were here to help. Ask us anything at

Required Experience:

Intern

Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland.Ready to own your future At Scottish Water our Summer InternshipProgramme empowers you to gain hands-on experience tacklereal challenges and contribute to shaping Scotlands future. This is more than just a summer job itsan opportunity to make a meaningful im...