Chemical Risk Assessor

The Scottish Government; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in Scotland seeks a Chemical Risk Assessor to deliver scientific risk assessments and technical advice on food safety. The successful candidate will manage research projects and communicate findings effectively to various stakeholders. Candidates should hold a relevant scientific degree and possess strong analytical and communication skills. This role supports Scotland's commitment to improving public health and food safety.

Benefits

Supportive working environment

Flexible working options

Wide range of employee benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in applying scientific knowledge in food safety or public health.
• Ability to communicate complex scientific data to non-specialists.
• Post-graduate experience in a relevant scientific specialty.

Responsibilities

• Provide risk assessment and technical advice on food safety.
• Design and manage external research to address knowledge gaps.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge on chemical food safety topics.

Skills

Scientific advice and risk assessment

Communication of scientific concepts

Data analysis

Managing research projects

Education

Scientific degree in toxicology, chemistry, or biochemistry

Job description

Would you like to use your scientific expertise to help improve food safety and public health in Scotland? The Risk Assessment Branch sits within the wider Science Division at Food Standards Scotland (FSS), and is a multidisciplinary team of around 20 professionals specialising in biology, chemistry, social science, and data science. Within the Branch, the Chemical Risk Assessment Team is responsible for providing chemical risk assessments and technical advice to support FSS’s work on food and feed safety.

The Chemical Risk Assessor role works under the direction of the two Senior Scientific Advisors in chemical food and feed safety. The purpose of the role is to deliver risk assessment and technical advice to policy and other colleagues in the area of chemical food safety so that robust risk management decisions can be made, as well as to manage research to deliver the evidence required to perform risk assessment.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist scientific advice and risk assessment chemical safety of food and feed. This will be both reactively in response to food incidents, and proactively as part of strategic risk assessments to inform the risk analysis process.
• Provide internal scientific expertise to support other teams within FSS for example scientific briefings, training materials and scientific support around external communications.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the current status of chemical food safety topics across the UK and internationally as it relates to risk assessment, identifying data and knowledge gaps.
• Undertake structured reviews of relevant datasets, published literature, and intelligence obtained through engagement with the scientific community and the food industry to address FSS’s evidence needs on the chemical safety of food.
• Design, commission and manage external research identified to address knowledge gaps that cannot be delivered in-house. This will include presenting business cases on research needs and risks, estimating budgets, and managing contractors to ensure work is delivered on time and on budget.
• Communication and presentation of scientific data and findings both internally and externally to a range of technical and non-technical audiences.
• Build and maintain working relationships with individuals within FSS, in other government departments and external experts such as researchers and industry representatives to raise the profile of FSS and ensure Scottish interests are represented.

Qualifications

A scientific degree in a relevant subject such as toxicology, chemistry or biochemistry or another related field.

Success Profile

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.

Technical / Professional Skills

• Building and applying knowledge. Understands and objectively, and effectively, applies scientific approaches with rigour and integrity. This may be through gathering and analysing information, producing effective literature reviews, critiquing techniques, designing or conducting research, writing evaluations and/or contributing to knowledge sharing including peer reviewed journal papers.
• Communicating science for government. Understands how to provide scientific and technical advice to policy. Understands and promotes the significance of this advice and evidence in policy making, and helps develop systems that promote its use. Evaluates the use and impacts of evidence-based policy across government throughout the policy life cycle. Communicates advice and evidence in a clear, unbiased and understandable manner to non-specialists by considering audience needs and background, and understanding how advice will sit within the policy landscape.

You can find out more about the skills required here

Experience

Post‑graduate experience such as in industry, academia or government of applying knowledge of a relevant scientific speciality in an appropriate field such as food safety, public health or animal health.

Behaviours

• Changing and improving – Level 3.
• Seeing the bigger picture – Level 3.

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here

How To Apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.

In the event of a high number of applicants, we will conduct an initial sift based on the lead criteria of the experience. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed against all remaining criteria outlined in the Success Profile.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for 30 January 2025 however this may be subject to change.

About Us

Food Standard Scotland (FSS) was established by the Food (Scotland) Act 2015 as a non‑ministerial office, part of the Scottish Administration, alongside, but separate from, the Scottish Government. Our primary concern is consumer protection – making sure that the food is safe to eat, ensuring consumers know what they are eating and improving nutrition.

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has a wide and diverse remit which covers all aspects of the food chain which can impact on public health – aiming to protect consumers from food safety risks and promote healthy eating. Our mission is to be Scotland’s leading authority on food safety, standards and healthy eating; using data and evidence to provide assurance and advice that inspires consumer confidence and improves public health.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Working pattern

Our standard working hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the post. This role is hybrid compatible. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

FSS employees currently work in a hybrid fashion. FSS’s Head Office is based in Pilgrim House in Aberdeen, and travel to meetings at this office would be expected on occasion. We do invite applications from outside this area, and there would be opportunities to work from an alternative Scottish Government building.

Security checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre‑employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.

Equality statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further information

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

Apply before: 10 December 2025 (23:59)