Scientist (Chemist)

Business Case

This position is vital to the laboratory to maintain the day to day running of routine regulatory and operational analysis. The team’s analysis supports all aspects of the business and is also seeing an increasing demand for shorter turnaround times to support operational requirements. In addition to the routine challenges, essential method development of new instrumentation needs to continue to meet the requirements of the regulatory standards in Water & waste water. Backfilling this position will help enable the laboratory to provide a safe and great place to work, deliver a great service, improve our rivers, create a greener future, contribute to our communities and will be spending customer’s money wisely. Failure to recruit in to this position will jeopardise UKAS accreditation as standards become difficult to maintain.

Job Purpose

A scientific and technically competent individual operating within a laboratory production environment, focusing on direct production activities and analytical quality control and inaccuracies which arise outside of the quality assurance process, supporting best practice within team, departments and external bodies. The role operates as a direct report to the 5B Senior Production Scientist liaising with the 6A Technical Production Scientist.

Accountabilities

Operating within a team of 12 to 35 with no budget control or direct reports.

Direct Production activities

Attain competency under a continuing professional development process

Improvements in working practices

Undertake investigation of anomalous results under analytical quality control

Support implementation of new equipment/improved techniques from own team.

Support ongoing workloads and projects within Scientific Services

Best practice integration and continuous improvement

Initiate equipment maintenance and repair

Essential communication, influencing and interpersonal skills within team

IT and LIMS skills

Understanding of Health and Safety.

Support intelligent supplier via understanding of analytical services

Financial awareness

Knowledge and Skills

• Scientifically adept with recent practical laboratory skills - across a variety of team methods
• Demonstration of Competent person status, including fully compliant CPD.
• Proficient analyst status in a variety of analytical techniques within the team covering a minimum of 3 methods
• Good understanding of ISO 17025, ISO 5667 and all other related regulatory requirements
• Minimum of 3 years laboratory experience

And

• NVQ/QCF Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline in line with entry to Membership of a relevant scientific professional body such as the Royal Society of Chemistry

Desirable Criteria

• Previous laboratory experience would be advantageous.

Additional information

• Ability for work on a weekend where required
• Analytical standby requirements once training is sufficient.