Organic Chemistry Screening Assistant Scientist

at  Environment Agency

Region
Yorkshire and the Humber
City/Town
Leeds
Grade
Staff Grade 2
Post Type
Fixed Term
Role Type
Science
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Part Time Term Time
Salary Minimum
£22,754 pro-rata
Closing Date:
29/09/2024, 23:55 hours
Security checks level
Basic Check
Job description
We value a diverse workforce. We want to be an organisation that represents modern Britain and the communities we serve. We want everybody to feel included, fairly treated and recognised for their contribution.
If you have experience of analytical chemistry within a laboratory setting and a passion for the natural environment this is an exciting opportunity for you. We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated people 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 environmental samples, predominantly for screening of organic pollutants. This is an exciting time to join our team as we are expanding our facilities and our workload to deliver Defra’s flagship Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment Programme.

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
• Have the opportunity to participate in a rota for pollution analysis
• Your role will initially and primarily be as part of the Organics screening team but may also support other areas of organic chemistry preparation and may have the opportunity to rotate around other sections of the laboratory.

All EA employees are expected to participate in incident response and will receive relevant training and support to identify an appropriate role which suits their own personal circumstances.
The team
You’ll be working within a small team alongside approximately 40 other Analytical staff and 9 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 websites
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency/about
https://natlabs.co.uk/
Experience/skills required

Essential:

• Working in an analytical laboratory with knowledge of analytical techniques and instrumentation
• Good communication skills are essential to allow you to work closely with your team and other teams on site
• Able to work to tight deadlines and have an ability to prioritise workload, while adhering to strict quality criteria.
• Problem solving skills.

Desirable:

• Experience of working within a quality standard or within a UKAS accredited chemistry laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025
• Ideally you will be educated to at least Chemistry A-Level or equivalent in a relevant subject or have some experience of working in a Chemistry laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025

Contact and additional information
You’ll be welcomed into the team and given the training and support you need to succeed in your role. This role will be site based with occasional travel for training courses.
We support flexible working hours and practices to help you strike a good balance between work and personal life. You’ll have access to a Local Government Pension scheme as well as a host of other benefits.
Our laboratory is off the M621 and well served by public transport links, we have secure bike pods and free onsite parking.
For further information please download the . Interviews will be on site at our Leeds laboratory late October. If you have any questions, contact the hiring manager -andrew.green@environment-agency.gov.uk
Length of contract
Up to 6 months
Competence 1
Applies Analytical Knowledge and Experience
Description
Your response to these competency questions will be used to blind sift your application for interview. Please consider use of the STAR technique to structure your response using examples.
Description: Applies acquired knowledge and experience to produce and interpret results from samples analysed in the laboratory.
Question: Describe your experience of using analytical chemistry techniques in practice, preferably in a work-based environment.
Competence 2
Achieves Results
Description
Your response to these competency questions will be used to blind sift your application for interview. Please consider use of the STAR technique to structure your response using examples.
Description: Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets.
Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results
Question: Give an example of when you have had to manage multiple tasks to achieve a deadline and how you went about this.
Competence 3
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Your response to these competency questions will be used to blind sift your application for interview. Please consider use of the STAR technique to structure your response using examples.
Description: Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.
Question: Please give an example of when you have solved a technical problem and how you went about this

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
• Have the opportunity to participate in a rota for pollution analysis
• Your role will initially and primarily be as part of the Organics screening team but may also support other areas of organic chemistry preparation and may have the opportunity to rotate around other sections of the laboratory