Analytical Chemist

Dstl; England; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Dstl is seeking a self-motivated Analytical Chemist to support various national and international programmes within a secure laboratory environment. This role involves using advanced instrumentation, providing chemical analyses, and maintaining compliance with health and safety regulations. The successful candidate will engage in continuous professional development and contribute to critical defence and security projects.

Benefits

Excellent pension scheme with employer contribution

Flexible working patterns and hours

25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after 5 years

Access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7

Onsite facilities including parking and gyms

Qualifications

• A BSc degree in a chemistry-related subject is essential.
• Practical experience in gas chromatography and/or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
• Experience with sample preparation methods and effective time management is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Use analytical chemistry instrumentation to provide timely analyses.
• Work safely in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 quality system.
• Network with specialists to seek out developments in related technical areas.

Skills

Gas chromatography

Liquid chromatography

Sample preparation methods

Troubleshooting

Time management

Education

BSc degree in Chemistry

Job description

Dstl Porton Down , Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JQ

You will be expected to attend site at least 80% of your time

Travel to other Dstl sites and some travel to various MOD, Government and partner / supplier locations is likely to be required.

Job Summary

Analytical Chemist!

Make a real impact in UK defence and security with Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl’s) Analytical Chemistry Team. We’re seeking a self-motivated analytical chemist to work across a broad range of cutting-edge instrumentation and techniques, delivering customised chemical analysis for critical national and international programmes.

Your work will support physical protection and detection procurement, hazard assessment trials, and health and safety initiatives—all within a secure ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory environment. Comprehensive training ensures you can operate safely and effectively in this vital role.

Be part of a team at the forefront of science. Apply today.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

Job Description

In this role you will:

• Use a range of analytical chemistry instrumentation including gas and liquid chromatography with various detectors and be able to perform troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Work safely and securely in our laboratories and in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 quality system.
• Provide timely analyses to internal customer projects to help inform external protection and detection procurement programmes.
• Conduct analysis in support of health and safety activities.
• Receive training on the analysis of samples using validated methods.
• Develop safety cases for laboratory-based methodologies that meet appropriate health and safety legislation and standards.
• Network with specialists internal and external to Dstl to seek out developments in related technical areas and use these networks to boost innovation.
• Maintain continual professional development through attending conferences and courses where required.
  
  

In This Role You Will

• Use a range of analytical chemistry instrumentation including gas and liquid chromatography with various detectors and be able to perform troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Work safely and securely in our laboratories and in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 quality system.
• Provide timely analyses to internal customer projects to help inform external protection and detection procurement programmes.
• Conduct analysis in support of health and safety activities.
• Receive training on the analysis of samples using validated methods.
• Develop safety cases for laboratory-based methodologies that meet appropriate health and safety legislation and standards.
• Network with specialists internal and external to Dstl to seek out developments in related technical areas and use these networks to boost innovation.
• Maintain continual professional development through attending conferences and courses where required.
  
  

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• A BSc degree in a chemistry related subject.
  
  

Desirable

• Industrial/work experience in analytical chemistry.
  
  

Essential

Technical Skills

• Practical experience in the use of gas chromatography (various detectors i.e. MS, FPD, NPD) and/or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
• Experience in sample preparation methods.
  
  

Desirable

• Experience in handling Acute Toxicity Category 1 material.
• Able to undertake routine user maintenance of laboratory equipment.
  
  

Experience

Essential

• Practical experience in the use of gas chromatography (various detectors i.e. MS, FPD, NPD) and/or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
• Experience in sample preparation methods.
• Effective time management and ability to deliver at pace.
• Proactive in their approach to work, being able to work flexibly, independently and as part of a team
  
  

Desirable

• Experience in handling Acute Toxicity Category 1 material.
• Experience of working within a quality system.
  
  

Please see full job profile at the bottom of this page

Safety at Dstl

Accountable for ensuring safe and secure work;

Must appreciate and be responsible for the health and safety of self and others; both understand and meet defined accountabilities as written in Dstl policy,

Must demonstrate the expected HS (& EP) behaviours as defined by the Civil Service and Dstl and lead by example,

Must ensure understanding and maintenance of appropriate training, experience and knowledge (i.e. competent / SQEP) for self and direct reports,

Develop a working environment that is supportive of and champions the Dstl approach to security, health, wellbeing, safety and environmental (HSEP) management,

Be aware of the downstream impact of their actions and the actions of their direct reports on those outside of their immediate control.

Implement Dstl's policies and ensure compliance with the Management System

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Individuals within DSTL who hold dual nationality and currently hold the required clearance level may apply. If found suitable for the role further security discussions will need to take place before a formal offer can be made.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
  
  

Alongside your salary of £29,001, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £8,401 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.
• Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).
• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.
• Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.
• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.
• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.
• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.
  
  

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

At the application stage we will be assessing the Personal Statement and CV. Interview will be assessing your skills, experience and the behaviours stated above.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team [e-mail] and we will do all we can to support you.

Sifting will take place week on a rolling basis. This will commence from the 2nd and 3rd July 2025, continuing until the 13th July. Interviews to be arranged w/c 21st, 28th & 4th August 2025. Interview will include a tour and will last approx 1.5 hours

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact

• Name : Dstl Recruitment Team
• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Further information

Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email [e-mail] stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.