Organic Geochemist

UKRI; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading geoscience research organization in Nottingham is seeking an Organic Geochemist. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in Chemistry with analytical experience in organic geochemistry. Responsibilities include operating instrumentation for environmental chemistry projects. The role offers competitive pay and opportunities for professional development, including fieldwork across the UK and globally.

Benefits

Outstanding pension scheme

30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Access to flexi-time

Qualifications

• You should have a first degree in Chemistry or related topic and PhD with analytical organic geochemistry experience.
• Experience in analytical organic chemistry and specifically operation of GC/MS and GC/MS/MS.
• Knowledge in coordinating data from laboratory instruments and awareness of quality assurance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Operate analytical instrumentation for applied environmental chemistry projects.
• Assist visiting students and develop new analytical methodologies.
• Conduct fieldwork both in the UK and internationally when required.

Skills

Analytical organic geochemistry experience

Operation of GC/MS and GC/MS/MS

Effective written and oral communication skills

Team working skills

Ability to prioritize work

Education

PhD in Chemistry or related topic

First Degree in Chemistry or related topic

Tools

GC/MS

GC/MS/MS

FTIR

Job description

Job Description

Organic Geochemist

Natural Environment Research Council - British Geological Survey

Band: UKRI D/S2

Salary: £41,344 per annum

Contract Type: Open ended

Hours: Full-time - 37 hours a week (some flexible working options may be available, including a small amount of remote working, in line with BGS policy)

Location: Keyworth, Nottingham

Closing date: 25th August 2025

A great benefits package is offered, including an outstanding pension scheme, 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and access to flexi-time

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic organic geochemist able to operate independently and within a team of applied chemists. The post is open but not limited to recent postgraduates or candidates approaching the end of their studies, with opportunity for ongoing learning and skills development. The candidate will operate a selection of analytical instrumentation to support research on applied environmental chemistry projects in the UK and internationally. More specifically, the candidate will operate GC/MS/MS to develop research and business in the sphere of legacy and emerging contaminants as well as natural organic compounds (biomarkers) present in soil, sediment and waters.

The candidate may be required to assist visiting students and to develop new analytical methodologies for deployment in a laboratory or field environment. Opportunities may arise for UK and/or International fieldwork.

About you

You should have a first degree in Chemistry or related topic and PhD with analytical organic geochemistry experience). In additional you should have experience in analytical organic chemistry and specifically operation of GC/MS and GC/MS/MS for the quantitative analysis of organic compounds in soils, sediments and waters. You should also have experience required in spiking samples to appropriate concentrations, extraction, compound class separation (e.g. SPE, QuEChers), derivatization, calibration of GC/MS, programming method files (masses, retention time windows). In addition you must be able to swim for river and coastal field work (requirement for our external clients)

Please also refer to the additional specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post.

You will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during your employment.

Skills Specification - Criteria to be assessed at Shortlist 'S' and Interview 'I' Stage

Essential

• First Degree in Chemistry or related topic and PhD with analytical organic geochemistry experience) (S)
• Full driving licence for UK fieldwork (S)
• Experience in analytical organic chemistry and specifically operation of GC/MS and GC/MS/MS for the quantitative analysis of organic compounds in soils, sediments and waters. (S,I)
• Experience required in spiking samples to appropriate concentrations, extraction, compound class separation (e.g. SPE, QuEChers), derivatization, calibration of GC/MS, programming method files (masses, retention time windows). (S,I)
• Knowledge in coordinating data from laboratory instruments and awareness of quality assurance requirements (UKAS) for client output. (S,I)
• Ability to operate complex equipment with multiple software packages GC/MS, GC, FTIR, pyrolysis GC-MS (S,I)
• Effective written and oral communication skills (S,I)
• Demonstrate good team working skills and self-motivated and capable of working independently and proactively (S, I)
• Ability to prioritise work and meet tight deadlines (S, I)
• Able to travel off-site / abroad regularly / occasionally (I)

Desirable

• Membership and engagement with learned society e.g. RSC, GeolSoc, IAG, SEGH) (S)
• Operation of Thermo-Quantiva instrument (S,I)
• Pollution: This role requires experience in analysis of legacy (e.g. PAH, PCB, PBDE, TPH, DDT) and emerging contaminants (e.g. PBDE, PFAS, pharma, pesticides) and others (e.g. sewage steroids,, ahhydrosugars). (S,I)
• Natural Carbon: This role requires experience in evaluation of natural organic compounds (free and polymeric) (e.g. (hopanes, steranes and other markers as taraxerol) as well as complex biogeopolymers by pyrolysis/GC/MS. (S,I)
• Operation of FTIR spectrometer, Iatroscan-TPH analyser (S,I)
• Knowledge of statistical software e. g. R core (S,I)
• Knowledge of applying environmental geochemistry data to biogeochemical studies and or other issues eg radioactive waste disposal (S,I)

About us

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an applied geoscience research centre that belongs to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and is affiliated to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey whose core mission is to advise government of science related to the subsurface and to undertake applied research to solve earth and environmental issues, both in the UK and globally. It is funded directly by UKRI, as well as through research grants and private sector contracts.

Our Core Values and commitment to promoting equality and diversity across our organisation underpin the continuous drive to improve our scientific and organisational efficiency. As such, we aim to have a workforce with employees from all backgrounds with people who are passionate about earth science and who share our dedication to work for the good of the environment and the benefit of society. BGS became a signatory of the Technician Commitment in July 2022.

How to apply

Applicants are required to include a CV and covering letter outlining their suitability for the role. We would stress the importance of this paperwork in our selection process.

A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.

If you experience any issues applying for this role, please contact [e-mail].

The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 25th August 2025. Interviews are expected to be held in September in Nottingham.

About Us

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

About the Team

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an applied geoscience research centre of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and is affiliated to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey that provides a core science mission to advise government of science related to the subsurface and its interfaces and also undertakes applied research for solutions to earth and environmental processes, both in the UK and globally. It is funded directly by UKRI as well as through research grants and via private sector contracts.

BGS has an annual budget of approximately £60 million and employs 650 people. It has two main sites, a head office in Keyworth near Nottingham and the Lyell Centre, which is a joint collaboration with Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. BGS works with more than 150 private sector organisations as well as having close links with 40 universities and sponsors approximately 100 PhD students each year.

We strive to promote equality and diversity across our organisation in order to continuously improve our scientific and organisational efficiency. As such, we aim to have a workforce with employees from all backgrounds with people who are passionate about earth science and who share our dedication to work for the good of the environment and the benefit of society.