Junior Scientist – River Impact Mapping

POSTED: 6th August 2026 STARTING DATE: As soon as possible FULL TIME, ROTTERDAM MISSION TO METRICS The mission of The Ocean Cleanup is to develop technology to rid the world’s oceans and rivers of plastic. To be successful, we rely on a thorough understanding of the ocean plastic pollution problem. The research team at The Ocean Cleanup refines our understanding of the sources, transport and fate of plastic pollution in rivers and marine environments. You will support our mission by coordinating and analyzing field-based plastic pollution impact monitoring in coastal environments downstream of Interceptor deployments worldwide. This helps us quantify and improve the environmental impact of our river cleanup operations. "At The Ocean Cleanup, our scientists work at the forefront of research on plastic pollution in rivers and oceans. The insights you generate will play a key role in improving our cleanup strategies. Join our diverse and international science team to contribute to tackling one of today’s most urgent environmental challenges." , Dr Thomas Mani, Lead River Plastic Research. THE ASSIGNMENT Coordinate and support project management for field campaigns assessing plastic pollution and environmental impact at river Interceptors and downstream environments around the world. Manage, organize, quality-control and analyze environmental datasets collected from riverine and coastline environments. Develop and refine standardized workflows and protocols for impact monitoring and data management. Interpret findings and communicate results through technical reports, internal briefings, and scientific publications. Connect with interdisciplinary teams across The Ocean Cleanup to align research activities and identify synergies. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in environmental science, aquatic science, hydrology, ecology, geography, or a related discipline. Experience with environmental fieldwork and field campaign planning. Experience with environmental data management, quality assurance, and statistical analysis. Proficiency in data science and scientific computing using R Studio, or similar analytical tools. Experience working with large environmental datasets. Knowledge of river systems, aquatic environments, or plastic pollution research is an advantage. Experience with GIS software and spatial data analysis is a plus. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS Self-motivated, proactive, and solution-oriented mindset. Strong organizational and project coordination skills. Ability to quickly understand complex environmental challenges and identify practical solutions. Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills. Ability to clearly communicate scientific results and recommendations. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, international, and multidisciplinary environment. Flexible team player with the ability to work independently. Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality scientific work. ADDITIONAL DETAILS Starting date: October 2026; Location: The role is based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Please note: Because we are a non-profit, our salaries reflect that of an organization fully reliant on donations rather than that of a commercial entity. Conducting a pre-employment check is part of our recruitment process. Thank you for wanting to apply to The Ocean Cleanup. Let us get to know you a bit better by filling out the form below. 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