Junior Site Chemist

Castle Environmental; Ilkeston; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days holiday

Training and development

Company pension scheme

Life assurance

Free on-site parking

Health and wellbeing support

Job summary

Castle Environmental in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, is seeking a Junior Site Chemist to combine practical site activities with laboratory work and technical assessment. You will help manage waste acceptance, verify documentation, and ensure materials are inspected, stored and processed safely on a busy site.

You'll work outdoors most of the time, enjoy a hands-on environment, and contribute to regulatory compliance while developing skills across waste assessment, treatment operations and chemical

Qualifications

• Minimum HNC (Level 4) in Chemistry or related discipline.
• BSc in Chemistry or related field advantageous.
• Competent IT skills and ability to manage inspections and stock data.

Responsibilities

• Sampling and analysis of containerised and packaged waste.
• Inspecting incoming waste and verifying it matches documentation.
• Overseeing safe offloading of pallets and containers.
• Managing stock control, labeling, and batching.
• Preparing waste inspection reports and regulatory paperwork.
• Inputting waste data into the company system.
• Coordinating waste movements with transport teams.

Skills

Chemistry knowledge

Attention to detail

Communication skills

IT skills

Teamwork

Education

HNC (Level 4) in Chemistry

BSc in Chemistry

Tools

Waste tracking software

Job description

Ilkeston, Derbyshire | Permanent, Full Time

Are you looking to start or develop your career in chemistry within a hands-on industrial environment? Whether you're a recent graduate or hold an HNC/HND in Chemistry, this is an excellent opportunity to apply your scientific knowledge within a growing environmental business. Castle Environmental is one of the UK's leading hazardous waste treatment, disposal and recycling businesses. With more than 40 years of experience, we process over 200,000 tonnes of hazardous and liquid waste every year across three UK sites, recycling more than 65% of all material received. Our Ilkeston site is home to our East Midlands headquarters, laboratories and treatment operations, supporting customers across the UK. We're looking for a motivated Junior Site Chemist to join our team, helping to ensure waste is safely received, assessed, processed and managed in accordance with environmental and regulatory requirements.

The Role

This is a varied position combining practical site-based activities with laboratory work and technical assessment. You will provide support to the site management team, taking responsibility for the acceptance of incoming waste, confirming waste received matches accompanying documentation, and ensuring materials are safely inspected, sampled, stored and processed. The role is predominantly based outdoors and would suit someone who enjoys a practical working environment rather than being solely laboratory based.

What You'll Be Doing

• Sampling and analysis of containerised and packaged waste.
• Inspecting incoming waste and confirming it matches manifests, pre-acceptance information and accompanying documentation.
• Overseeing the safe offloading of pallets, packages and containers into the Drum Reception area.
• Supervising the safe discharge of bulk powder tankers into storage silos.
• Completing waste inspection reports and legal transfer documentation, including Consignment Notes and Duty of Care paperwork.
• Inputting waste transactions, inspections, reports and stock management information into the company's bespoke waste management system.
• Raising non-conformance reports where incoming waste does not match pre-acceptance analysis, quotations or agreed acceptance criteria.
• Managing stock control activities including container labelling, batching, scanning and stocktaking.
• Sampling outgoing non-hazardous treatment residues.
• Preparing composite samples of containerised waste and carrying out process compatibility modelling.
• Supporting and operating site treatment processes.
• Preparing, wrapping, labelling and batching waste for onward transport.
• Supporting site traffic management and coordinating waste movements with the transport department.
• Operating a counterbalance forklift truck following training and authorisation.
• Maintaining high standards of housekeeping across the site.
• Working safely in accordance with site permits, Environment Agency requirements, HSE legislation and company procedures.

What You'll Need

• Minimum HNC (Level 4) in Chemistry, Applied Chemical Sciences or a related scientific discipline.
• A BSc degree in Chemistry or a related discipline would be advantageous.
• Competent IT skills and confidence using computer systems to manage inspections, stock and waste tracking information.
• Strong attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to organise and prioritise work effectively in a demanding and time-critical environment.
• A willingness to work predominantly outdoors in all weather conditions.
• A self-motivated approach with the ability to work independently when required.
• The ability to work effectively as part of an established team.
• A willingness to travel to other company sites if required.
• Previous experience within the waste management sector, although full training will be provided.
• Familiarity with the safe handling, storage and segregation of chemicals.
• Experience carrying out chemical sampling, inspections or laboratory analysis.
• Knowledge of hazardous waste regulations and waste classification.
• Experience working within a chemical, environmental, industrial or processing environment.

Working Hours

• 45 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
• Weekly rotating shifts:
  • 6:00am - 3:00pm
  • 8:00am - 5:00pm
  • 9:00am - 6:00pm
  • 11:00am - 8:00pm

What We Offer

• Permanent, full-time position.
• 30 days holiday including bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Continuous training and development opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Company pension scheme.
• Life assurance.
• Free on-site parking.
• Health and wellbeing support.
• The opportunity to build a long-term career within a growing environmental business.

Why Castle Environmental?

Our operation is fast-paced, varied and unlike a traditional laboratory role. You'll gain experience across waste assessment, environmental compliance, treatment operations and chemical analysis while developing specialist skills within the hazardous waste industry. If you're looking for a role where no two days are the same and where your development is genuinely supported, we'd love to hear from you. Castle Environmental is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.