ASSISTANT SCIENTIST - 31725

Assistant Scientist - 31725
Number of jobs available
1
Region
Yorkshire and the Humber
City/Town
Leeds
Building/Site

DEFRA GRP EA OLYMPIA HOUSE LABORATORY, LS12 6DD

Grade
Staff Grade 2
Post Type
Permanent
Role Type
Science
Working Pattern
Full Time
Salary Minimum
£24,096
Closing Date:
14/09/2025, 23:55 hours
Job description attachment 1
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Candidate pack
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Security checks level
Basic Check
Job description
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person with relevant experience and skills to come and join us in our Monitoring Laboratory based in Leeds. You will be directly contributing to the Environment Agency response to climate change by working within a small team carrying out the analysis of solid and liquid environmental samples.
We really do value a diverse workforce. We want to be an organisation that represents modern Britain and all the communities we serve. We want everybody to feel included, fairly treated and duly recognised for the contribution they make.

Your main duties will include:

• Working as part of a team delivering a high-quality analytical service to defined time, cost and quality targets
• Analysing samples using a variety of extraction techniques and state of the art instrumentation
• Keeping work areas tidy
• Ensuring Health and Safety procedures are adhered to
• Carrying out routine laboratory tasks e.g. routine calibrations, stock control, making of analytical standards
• Pollution incident rota

The team
You’ll be working within a small team alongside approximately 50 other Analytical staff and 12 Customer Services colleagues. We provide analytical services to the Environment Agency and external customers which includes the analysis of sediments, soils, biota and waters from across England and around the coastline, as well as offering a bespoke Forensic Waste Service. If you’d like to know a bit more about our work, please take a look at our website
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency/about
Experience/skills required

You will ideally be able to demonstrate some of the following skills:

• Working in an analytical laboratory with knowledge of analytical techniques and instrumentation
• Good communication skills are essential
• Working to tight deadlines and an ability to prioritise workloads
• Working within a team
• Problem solving skills are preferable
• Experience of working within a quality standard or within a UKAS accredited laboratory is desirable but not essential

Contact and additional information
You’ll be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support you need to succeed in your new role.
We support flexible working hours and practices to help you strike a good balance between your work and personal life. You’ll have access to a Local Government Pension scheme as well as a host of other employee benefits.
Our Leeds laboratory is off the M621 and well served by public transport links, we have secure bike pods and free staff parking on site as well as a brand-new staff canteen.
For further information on this role, the employee benefits and work of the Environment Agency, please download the candidate pack.
If you have any questions please contact the hiring managers: Toni.Webster@environment-agency.gov.uk or Phillip.Reynard@environment-agency.gov.uk
Competence 1
Communicates Effectively
Description
Give me an example of when you have had to communicate a message to a wider audience?

You can use the information below to help form your answer.

• Is an active listener, has time for people; seeks their contribution.
• Uses full range of communication methods to ensure effective understanding.
• Considers needs of and impact on audience, anticipates reactions and uses appropriate communication method and style.
• Prepares written reports and data in clear, readable and accurate manner, using appropriate grammar, syntax and style.
• Ensures communication is two-way; responds and acts on feedback
• When presenting is easily understood and inspires attention from an audience.
• Is clear and to the point when speaking.
• Anticipates the main issues and prepares responses.

Competence 2
Works in Teams
Description
Give me an example of when you have worked in a team to achieve a common goal?

You can use the information below to help form your answer.

• Identifies opportunities to work and build relationships with other team members.
• Builds relationships between own team and other teams.
• Supports the line manager in developing the team and gives constructive feedback to line manager.
• Effectively helps others to resolve conflict or tension.
• Actively involves themselves and participates in team activities
• Identifies personally with the team and speaks positively about it
• Balances personal and local team needs with those of the larger team; acts in the best interests of all wherever possible.

Competence 3
Achieves Results
Description
Give me an example of when you have delivered results to achieve an objective?

You can use the information below to help form your answer.

• Maximises work output by setting goals and priorities tracking and measuring outcomes and taking swift remedial action when necessary.
• Can be relied upon to regularly exceed goals agreed
• Is tenacious and perseveres when others might give up and by doing so achieves the desired results
• Anticipates forth-coming issues and adjusts actions as necessary.
• Willing to put in extra effort to meet urgent deadlines when required; shows dedication and commitment; “goes the extra mile”
• Is resilient and performs well under pressure; responds positively to setbacks and develops alternative action

Your main duties will include:

• Working as part of a team delivering a high-quality analytical service to defined time, cost and quality targets
• Analysing samples using a variety of extraction techniques and state of the art instrumentation
• Keeping work areas tidy
• Ensuring Health and Safety procedures are adhered to
• Carrying out routine laboratory tasks e.g. routine calibrations, stock control, making of analytical standards
• Pollution incident rot