Inorganics Senior Assistant Scientist

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. 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 an enthusiastic and motivated person with relevant experience and skills to come and join us in our Leeds laboratory. You will be directly contributing to the Environment Agency's response to climate change by supporting a small team carrying out the analysis of solid and liquid environmental samples. This is an exciting time to join the team as we expand the range of analysis we undertake, to deliver Defra's Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment Programme. Your main duties will include:

• Working within and supporting a team to deliver a high-quality analytical service to defined time, cost and quality targets
• Working alongside our scientists to improve existing methods and develop new ones when required.
• Analysing samples using a variety of extraction techniques and state of the art instrumentation
• Identifying root causes and rectifying technical issues using your knowledge and problem-solving skills
• Ensuring Health and Safety procedures are adhered to
• The opportunity to participate in a pollution incident rota
• Ensure all your work meets the high-quality standards expected of an ISO17025 accredited laboratory
This role will initially work Monday to Friday, however on completion of training will move to a Tuesday to Saturday working pattern, attracting a weekend pay enhancement. This will be discussed further at interview. All EA employees are expected to participate in incident response and will receive relevant training and support to identify an appropriate role. Occasional travel to attend training may be required. 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, 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, preferably in the field of Inorganic chemistry. Competence 2 Achieves Results, 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 a work-based example of when you have to manage multiple tasks to achieve a deadline and how you went about this. Competence 3 Takes Decisions and Solves Problems, Your main duties will include:
• Working within and supporting a team to deliver a high-quality analytical service to defined time, cost and quality targets
• Working alongside our scientists to improve existing methods and develop new ones when required.
• Analysing samples using a variety of extraction techniques and state of the art instrumentation
• Identifying root causes and rectifying technical issues using your knowledge and problem-solving skills
• Ensuring Health and Safety procedures are adhered to
• The opportunity to participate in a pollution incident rota
• Ensure all your work meets the high-quality standards expected of an ISO17025 accredited laborator
  
  Essential:
• Experience of working in an analytical laboratory with a good knowledge of analytical techniques and instrumentation, preferably in the field of inorganic environmental analysis.
• 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, preferably in a lab environment
Desirable:
• Experience of training others
• Experience of working within a quality standard or within a UKAS accredited chemistry laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025
• Educated to at least degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject.
  
  Your role will be based on site at the Leeds laboratory with occasional national travel for training required.
Contact and additional information You'll be welcomed into the team and given the training and support you need to succeed. The role is 100% site based and interviews will be held face to face at the end of October. 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.