Microbiology Senior Analyst

South East Water; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stakeholder pension

Holiday allowance

Flexible annual leave

Volunteer days

Cycle to work

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

South East Water is seeking an experienced Microbiology Senior Analyst to lead the Microbiology Section within our laboratory. The role includes supervising daily operations, conducting appraisals, and deputising for the Microbiology Team Leader when required.

The post involves developing and validating analytical methods, overseeing quality audits, and ensuring data integrity in the LIMS while adhering to HSE and company policies. This is an on-site role based in the Farnborough area.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Microbiology or other relevant scientific discipline.
• Skills in supervising, communicating, time management, problem solving and attention to detail.
• Previous experience in analytical laboratory work.
• Team management and training experience.

Responsibilities

• Make day-to-day operational decisions for the Microbiology team and deputise for the Microbiology Team Leader as needed.
• Report on microbiology and personnel issues and demonstrate competence in analytical processes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of the Laboratory and assist strategic development of Scientific Services.
• Conduct quality audits of internal practices to ensure compliance with the management system.
• Ensure timely completion of internal and external failure reports and non-conformities.
• Assist with development and validation of new analytical methods and provide resources for validation.
• Maintain instrumentation and perform routine maintenance as required.
• Ensure HSQ and Environmental aspects are respected and comply with HSE legislation and policies.
• Organise staff training on laboratory methods and conduct regular appraisals.

Skills

Supervision

Communication

Time management

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

Undergraduate degree in Microbiology

Job description

Summary: Are you an experienced microbiologist ready to take the next step in your scientific career? As our new Microbiology Senior Analyst, you will step into a vital leadership role supervising our Microbiology Section within a high-standard Laboratory Management System. Working a core evening shift pattern of 15:30 to 00:00 (within a flexible 12:00 to 00:00 operational window), you will receive a generous 15% shift allowance on top of your base salary. You will act as the section’s designated Competent Analyst, steering daily operations, stepping in to deputise for the Microbiology Team Leader when needed, and providing hands‑on training, advice, and guidance to junior staff. In this dynamic position, you will drive technical excellence and team success. You’ll be responsible for conducting staff appraisals, one‑to‑ones, and performance target setting, while also managing section resources, purchasing materials, and maintaining stock control to ensure method uptime. On the technical side, you will lead quality audits, resolve internal and external failure reports, and cover routine analytical work when required. Your expertise will be essential in maintaining, troubleshooting, and servicing advanced laboratory instrumentation, as well as driving the development and validation of new analytical methods. You will also bridge operations and strategy by prioritising sample workloads with the commercial team, ensuring accurate LIMS data entry, adhering strictly to HSE legislation, and contributing to the strategic development and continuous improvement of Scientific Services.

Main responsibilities

• Making day to day operational decisions related to the Microbiology team and deputising for the Microbiology Team Leader when needed.
• Reporting on all Microbiology/personnel issues and demonstrate competence in Analytical processes.
• Contributing significantly to the continuous improvement of the Laboratory and assisting with the strategic development of Scientific Services.
• Carrying out quality audits of internal practices to ensure compliance to the management system.
• Be responsible for the timely completion of internal and external failure reports and non‑conformities.
• Assist with the development and validation of new analytical methods providing knowledge and resources with carrying out validation.
• The post holder is required to be technically competent in the operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of analytical equipment.
• Responsibility for internal maintenance on instrumentation.
• Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of HSQ and Environmental issues and adhere to relevant HSE legislation and company policies.
• Assist with the organisation of training of staff on all relevant laboratory methods, providing training to staff on analytical methods.
• Conducting yearly appraisals and regular one‑to‑ones of relevant staff members, target setting and assessing work performance.
• Purchasing chemicals and materials for the Microbiology section and ensuring use of equipment and chemicals are documented to ensure proper stock control and method uptime.
• Assisting the commercial team with information regarding prioritisation of sample workload through the Microbiology section.
• Ensure data is accurately entered into the Laboratory Information Management System within set timeframes.
• To cover the responsibilities of an analyst.

Skills / Qualifications / Experience (Essential)

• Undergraduate degree in Microbiology or other relevant scientific discipline.
• Skills in supervising, communicating, time management, problem solving and attention to detail.
• Previous experience in analytical laboratory work.
• Team management and training experience.

Skills / Qualifications / Experience (Desirable)

• Registered by a recognised institution.
• Skills in presenting would be desirable.

Employees are required to be flexible and to be prepared to perform duties and other tasks within their capabilities. The nature of our business is such that the contents of any job profile are subject to change from time to time.

Grow a career with a meaningful purpose. We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That’s why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.

Benefits package

• Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.
• Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Health cash plan.
• Life assurance.
• Wellbeing related benefits.

Compensation package: 37,351.24

It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water. Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks.