Fluvial Geomorphologist

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Fluvial Geomorphologist

Organisation:

JBA Consulting

Application Deadline:

Sunday, December 6, 2026

Website:

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Location: Coleshill

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

Help shape the future of our rivers

Rivers are changing. Climate change, historic modifications, biodiversity decline and increasing pressure on our water environment mean that understanding and restoring natural river processes has never been more important.

At JBA, we believe healthy rivers are at the heart of resilient landscapes, thriving communities and sustainable infrastructure. We're looking for an experienced Fluvial Geomorphologist to join our growing Geomorphology and River Restoration team and help deliver some of the UK's most exciting river restoration, natural flood management, environmental enhancement and flood risk projects.

This is an opportunity to work alongside industry-leading geomorphologists, hydraulic modellers, ecologists and engineers on projects that genuinely improve the water environment. You'll be trusted to lead technical work, influence project direction and develop innovative, process-based solutions that deliver environmental and societal benefits.

Whether you're assessing river processes in remote upland catchments, developing restoration strategies for heavily modified watercourses, interpreting hydraulic modelling results, or helping design ambitious river restoration schemes, you'll play a key role in turning evidence into action.

Projects you’ll work on

From catchment-scale restoration strategies to construction-stage support on river restoration schemes, you'll work on projects that help rivers function more naturally and deliver lasting environmental benefits.

Recent and upcoming projects include:

• Developing catchment and reach-scale river restoration strategies that restore natural river processes and improve ecological resilience.

• Designing floodplain reconnection, wetland creation and nature-based solutions schemes to deliver multiple environmental benefits.

• Supporting major flood risk management and water company programmes through geomorphological assessment, restoration planning and design.

• Undertaking fluvial audits, geomorphological appraisals and sediment assessments for rivers across the UK.

• Using hydraulic modelling outputs, GIS and field evidence to understand river behaviour and inform restoration solutions.

• Delivering Water Framework Directive (WFD), environmental enhancement and Watercourse Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.

• Providing geomorphological input to multidisciplinary projects alongside hydraulic modellers, ecologists, environmental scientists and engineers.

• Supporting the construction and implementation of river restoration projects, helping turn concepts and designs into successful on-the-ground outcomes.

The role

As a Fluvial Geomorphologist, you'll take a leading role in delivering a broad range of geomorphological and river restoration projects, working closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams throughout the project lifecycle.

You'll be involved in:

• Planning and undertaking geomorphological field surveys, fluvial audits and river assessments.

• Interpreting river and floodplain processes using field evidence, GIS, historic mapping, aerial imagery, LiDAR and hydraulic modelling outputs.

• Developing conceptual models of river behaviour and channel adjustment.

• Identifying geomorphological risks, constraints and opportunities.

• Producing high-quality technical reports, appraisal documents and restoration strategies.

• Supporting the development of river restoration, floodplain reconnection and nature-based solutions projects.

• Contributing to Water Framework Directive assessments and wider environmental appraisals.

• Working closely with hydraulic modellers, ecologists and engineers to develop integrated solutions.

• Managing tasks, budgets and programmes of work.

• Supporting project bids, proposals and client relationships.

• Mentoring junior colleagues and helping develop technical excellence within the team.

About you

We’re looking for someone who combines strong technical understanding with curiosity, pragmatism and a genuine passion for rivers.

You’ll likely have around five years’ professional experience in fluvial geomorphology, river restoration or a closely related discipline and be ready to take the next step in your career.

Essential

• A degree (or higher qualification) in Geography, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences or a related subject.

• Experience delivering geomorphological assessments within a consultancy, regulatory or environmental management setting.

• Strong understanding of river processes, channel adjustment and sediment dynamics.

• Experience planning and undertaking geomorphological field surveys and fluvial audits.

• Ability to interpret and synthesise multiple sources of evidence, including field data, hydraulic modelling outputs, LiDAR and GIS datasets.

• Experience developing geomorphological appraisals, conceptual models and restoration recommendations.

• Experience of river restoration planning, option appraisal and design.

• Excellent technical writing and communication skills.

• Experience working within multidisciplinary project teams.

• Full UK driving licence and willingness to undertake fieldwork across the UK.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Water Framework Directive assessments and environmental regulation.

• Hydraulic modelling experience.

• Understanding of river condition assessment, biodiversity enhancement or watercourse BNG.

• Project management experience, including budget and programme management.

• Progress towards Chartered status (CGeog, CEnv, CIWEM, ICE or equivalent).

Why join JBA?

At JBA, you'll be part of one of the UK's leading river restoration and geomorphology teams, working on projects ranging from catchment-scale restoration strategies to detailed design and implementation support.

You'll benefit from:

• Meaningful work that helps restore rivers and improve environmental resilience.

• Opportunities to work on innovative and technically challenging projects.

• A supportive and collaborative multidisciplinary environment.

• Hybrid and flexible working.

• Structured career development and mentoring.

• Support towards professional chartership.

• A comprehensive benefits package.

• Employee ownership and profit share opportunities.

• A culture that values technical excellence, innovation and continuous learning.

Most importantly, you'll join a team of people who are passionate about rivers and committed to making a positive difference.

Interested?

If you're excited by the prospect of combining technical geomorphology, river restoration and environmental problem solving to create better rivers for the future, we'd love to hear from you.

To apply, please visit via the JBA Consulting website (Geomorphologist). For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Natasha Todd-Burley (natasha.todd-burley@jbaconsulting.com), Discipline Lead for Geomorphology.