Our values
Read more about our values and expectations at UKCEH.
Professional development
We encourage the ongoing learning and development of our staff and this has been externally recognised by our re-accreditation with Investors in People (IiP). Staff are encouraged to continually improve their professional and technical skills in relation to their development and continuous learning and these are reviewed annually as part of the appraisal process.
Support, representation & communication
There are many ways in which UKCEH staff can voice their opinions and receive support if needed. We have a staff consultation group chaired by our Director and staff can also join the union Prospect who negotiate with management to ensure their members' needs are addressed. Staff also have access to an Employee Assistance Programme which offers confidential counselling, advice and support. In addition Local Welfare Officers provide confidential physical and emotional support.
Benefits
We offer an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. Currently we adopt a hybrid working model which includes up to two days a week at home, along with flexible working hours, the ability to increase your salary as you gain more experience and an excellent pension scheme.
Staff also have access to a range of amenities on site including a restaurant at our Wallingford site and informal social clubs. We offer 27 days' annual leave excluding bank holidays, increasing to 28 days after two years and 29 days after five years. UKCEH has an excellent working environment with an opportunity to continuously develop and learn.
See more details about our benefits for employees.
Our Sites
Bangor
Bangor is a city and community in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. It is the oldest city in Wales, and one of the smallest cities in the United Kingdom. Historically in Caernarfonshire, it is a university city with a population of 18,808 at the 2011 census, including around 10,500 students at Bangor University, our partners at the Environment Centre Wales (ECW), which is home to UKCEH.
We are based on the University campus, which is within easy walking distance of all amenities including Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre (cinema, café etc.), main shopping centre and train station. Many of our onsite facilities are shared with the University and include car parking (campus parking charges apply), cycle storage, showers, kitchen with fridge and access to attractive meadow grounds in the summer. In addition, we have our own well-equipped meeting rooms and two bikes for use by staff. For more details on the city of Bangor, the Visit Snowdonia and Bangor University websites are useful sources of information on the local area. See details on how to reach our Bangor site.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is Scotland's compact, hilly capital. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian on the Firth of Forth's southern shore and at the 2011 census it had a population of 482,005. UKCEH is located on the Bush Estate near Penicuik, which is on the south side of the city.
Onsite facilities include cycle storage, limited car parking, showers, library, as well as kitchen and fridge facilities. If you enjoy walking or running, there are also lots of places to walk/run in the Bush Estate. For more details on the city of Edinburgh, the University of Edinburgh and This is Edinburgh websites are useful sources of information on the local area. See details on how to reach our Edinburgh site.
Lancaster
Lancaster is a city in north-west England. It is the county town of Lancashire, England which is located on the River Lune with a population of 52,234. On the hilltop is the medieval Lancaster Castle with its antique furniture, 19th-century prison cells and views of the river Lune. Lancaster University is based on a purpose-built campus at Bailrigg, to the south of the city, which is also home to UKCEH.
Onsite facilities include car parking (campus parking charges apply), kitchen and fridge facilities and you can also buy a selection of hot and cold food in the university. We also have cycle storage, showers (both shared with Lancaster University), library, well-equipped meeting rooms with video conferencing capabilities and access to a fantastic covered courtyard shared university space for lunch and breaks.
For more details on the city of Lancaster, the Visit Lancaster and Lancaster University websites are useful sources of information on the local area. See details on how to reach our Lancaster site.
Wallingford
The UKCEH site is located in the village of Crowmarsh Gifford, on the opposite bank of the river Thames from the historic market town of Wallingford. Wallingford is located to the south of Oxford and at the 2011 census it had a population of 11,600.
Onsite facilities include car parking, hot and cold water dispensers available across the site, as well as kitchen and fridge facilities, and you can also buy a selection of hot and cold food from the in-house restaurant. We also have cycle storage, showers, library and well-equipped meeting rooms all set within attractive grounds.
Wallingford is now the location for world-leading scientific research into climate change, biodiversity, water, agriculture and environment at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, HR Wallingford, CABI and other organisations. For more details on the town of Wallingford, the Wallingford Town Council website is a useful source of information on the local area.
It is adjacent to the Science Vale which contains two of the UK’s leading big-science research centres at Culham and Harwell and is strategically located midway between the M4, M40 and Oxford (home to the world’s number-one ranked university). Good road and rail links mean you can reach Oxford in 20 minutes and London Paddington within an hour. Heathrow airport is also within an hour and from there you can fly direct to 185 destinations in 84 countries. See details on how to reach our Wallingford site.