Microplastic pollution laboratory assistant

at  Centre for Ecology Hydrology

Band 7 Salary £28,125 - £29,636 (dependent on skills and experience)
Full Time (37 hours per week) – short term appointment (12-18 months); on site role
Based at our Wallingford site
Closing date for applications is 10th February 2025. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.
We aim to hold interviews in the weeks commencing 17th and 24th February 2025.
UKCEH is an independent, not-for-profit research institute. Home to over 600 scientists, supported by our experienced professional service teams, we provide the data and insights that researchers, governments, and businesses need to tackle some of the major environmental challenges we face today.
Purpose
This is an exciting opportunity to join our internationally recognised Ecotoxicology and Chemical Risk team to assist in the operation of our microplastics analytical facility. The role will support the delivery of projects that investigate the presence of microplastics in the environment and to understand their sources and possible effects. The role will be to deliver the preparation and processing of environmental samples as well as performing spectroscopic analysis. Across the wider team, there will be opportunities to be involved in assisting other experimental work such as bioassays and fieldwork.
We are looking for someone who is motivated, has an interest in the natural environment and is eager to learn more about microplastic pollution and its effect on the natural world. In your role, you will be trained in microplastic detection and analysis in the environment as well as other laboratory methods and field work skills.

Main responsibilities

• Sample management, from coordination with field site managers, collection and transport to the laboratory, storage arrangements, sample processing, clean-up and data acquisition.
• Running microplastic sample analysis workflows (drying, weighing, wet sieving, vacuum filtration, chemical extractions) for a wide range of environmental samples.
• Spectroscopic analysis including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) microscopy for the detection of microplastics in environmental samples.
• Data manipulation and curation to share at internal team meetings and for preparation of customer/funder reports and scientific papers.
• Routine lab measurements such as pH, water holding capacity of soils, acidification procedures, sample handling and preservation etc.
• Participating in fieldwork for sample collection.
• Managing laboratory spaces including equipment maintenance, stock control and purchasing of equipment and chemicals for the laboratory.
• Assist in running experiments into the effects of legacy and emerging chemical threats such as microplastics, nanomaterials, metals and pesticides on species and ecosystems.
• Active team member in coordinating and delivering multiple projects, primarily in the theme of microplastics, to research funders and commercial customers.

The role will contribute to multiple research projects. The successful candidate will be comfortable carrying out analyses on their own. You should have the confidence to attempt to resolve problems, but also know when to seek advice or instruction when necessary. You will be able to organise and manage your own time effectively and communicate well with other people about your work, contributing to the communication of the value of UKCEH’s work both internally and externally. You will be a team player, working with others in your team and project partners across different projects.

Additional Accountabilities

• Proactively contribute suggestions or ideas for research or method development within your Group or project meetings.
• Communicating your work and science through written reports and presentations both at internal project meetings and external meetings/conferences.
• Participating in organisation-wide forums/schemes as required.

Key Behaviours
Key behaviours are linked to the UKCEH behavioural framework and include Excellence - Delivering world class science supporting global environmental challenges; valued by stakeholders, and meeting funder requirements, Integrity - Maintaining the highest standards of research and professional ethics and impartiality & Teamwork - Working together effectively with colleagues, partners and customers to achieve long-term success.
About Us
Here you can explore the kind of roles we recruit for, search our latest vacancies, learn more about what it’s like to work at UKCEH, and find out about the many benefits of joining our team.
Every one of our 600+ staff and 50+ postgraduate students plays a vital role in delivering our ambition to understand the environment and the human impact on it, so that together people and nature can prosper.
How we work is just as important as what we achieve. We want UKCEH to be a welcoming, inclusive, engaging and collaborative place to work. We embed our values - excellence, integrity and teamwork - into everything we do.

• Sample management, from coordination with field site managers, collection and transport to the laboratory, storage arrangements, sample processing, clean-up and data acquisition.
• Running microplastic sample analysis workflows (drying, weighing, wet sieving, vacuum filtration, chemical extractions) for a wide range of environmental samples.
• Spectroscopic analysis including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) microscopy for the detection of microplastics in environmental samples.
• Data manipulation and curation to share at internal team meetings and for preparation of customer/funder reports and scientific papers.
• Routine lab measurements such as pH, water holding capacity of soils, acidification procedures, sample handling and preservation etc.
• Participating in fieldwork for sample collection.
• Managing laboratory spaces including equipment maintenance, stock control and purchasing of equipment and chemicals for the laboratory.
• Assist in running experiments into the effects of legacy and emerging chemical threats such as microplastics, nanomaterials, metals and pesticides on species and ecosystems.
• Active team member in coordinating and delivering multiple projects, primarily in the theme of microplastics, to research funders and commercial customers