Analytical Chemist – Research & Development Analyst

Dstl; England; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Dstl is seeking an Analytical Chemist to lead research initiatives and mentor teams in chemical analysis, critical for defense and safety programs. The role involves hands-on research, method development, and safe lab practices under a quality system, emphasizing professional growth and diversity.

Benefits

Excellent pension scheme with 26% employer contribution

Flexible working options including compressed hours

25 days annual leave plus public holidays

Support for learning and professional development

Qualifications

• Industrial/work experience in analytical chemistry required.
• Current practical experience with chromatography and mass spectrometry instruments essential.

Responsibilities

• Use analytical chemistry instrumentation for research.
• Lead method validations and develop innovative methodologies.
• Collaborate on technical project proposals.

Skills

Analytical Chemistry

Gas Chromatography

Liquid Chromatography

Mass Spectrometry

Data Analysis

Technical Leadership

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 – Research & Development Analyst!

Unlock your potential at Dstl, where cutting-edge science drives national defence and security. We’re seeking a self-motivated analytical chemist to lead and mentor small technical teams in delivering customised chemical analysis for critical defence programmes, international hazard assessments, and health and safety initiatives.

In this role, you'll spearhead fundamental research, develop innovative methodologies, and explore emerging technologies—including automation and robotics—to enhance chemical analysis capabilities. You’ll work within a secure ISO/IEC 17025 quality system, receiving top-tier training to ensure safe and effective operations.

Join us in shaping the future of defence science. Apply today and make an impact.

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 to provide timely technical support to laboratory-based research, analysis, and evaluation of novel methodologies to help inform customer decision-making.
• Work safely and securely in our laboratories and in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 quality system.
• Work collaboratively with internal colleagues to develop technical project proposals that meet their project objectives.
• Desire to develop their own personal and professional skills, as well as those of trainee staff.
• Lead method validations/work packages including planning, devising experiments and presenting work.
• Have the opportunity to aid in the implementation of state-of-the-art robotic systems.
• Provide clear and precise briefs, both written and verbally, on project outcomes to support science and technology decisions at Dstl.
• 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.
  
  

In This Role You Will

• Use a range of analytical chemistry instrumentation to provide timely technical support to laboratory-based research, analysis, and evaluation of novel methodologies to help inform customer decision-making.
• Work safely and securely in our laboratories and in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 quality system.
• Work collaboratively with internal colleagues to develop technical project proposals that meet their project objectives.
• Desire to develop their own personal and professional skills, as well as those of trainee staff.
• Lead method validations/work packages including planning, devising experiments and presenting work.
• Have the opportunity to aid in the implementation of state-of-the-art robotic systems.
• Provide clear and precise briefs, both written and verbally, on project outcomes to support science and technology decisions at Dstl.
• 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.
  
  

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• A BSc degree in a chemistry related subject.
• Industrial/work experience in analytical chemistry.
  
  

Essential

Technical Skills

• Current practical experience in the use and maintenance of gas chromatography (various detectors i.e. MS, FPD, NPD) and/or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
• Ability to work safely in the laboratory, including appropriate handling of chemicals and samples as specified within Risk Assessments.
• Understanding of COSHH and Risk Assessments and implementing safeguards for work as stipulated.
• Experience in sample preparation techniques i.e. sample extraction and clean-up methodologies.
• Experience in the development and validation of new chemical analytical methods; within the scope of a quality framework.
• The ability to critically analyse data and deliver research outputs that align with customer requirements.
  
  

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

• Current practical experience of using and troubleshooting Gas and/or Liquid Chromatography instruments, as well as experience with Mass Spectrometry, Flame Photometric Detectors (FPDs) and Electron Capture Detectors (ECDs).
• Experience of technical leadership.
• 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

• Understanding of other Gas Chromatography Detectors and their application.
• Experience of working within a quality system.
• Experience of coordinating and mentoring small teams of technical staff to successfully deliver work.
  
  

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 £37,769, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £10,941 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/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.