Research Chemist- Stable Isotopes

ceh; Lancaster; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

UKCEH seeks a Research Chemist specializing in light stable isotopes to lead the isotope analysis in the Analytical Chemistry team at Lancaster. You will drive innovation, collaborate across UKCEH, and help secure funding through grants and tenders.

The role requires a PhD in Environmental Chemistry (or equivalent) and a track record in environmental isotope applications, with strong analytical and leadership capabilities.

Qualifications

• PhD in Environmental Chemistry or equivalent qualification.
• Strong understanding of ecological/environmental chemistry and stable isotopes.
• Experience with isotopic analysis in environmental applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Stable Isotope Facility and expand isotope applications.
• Generate income through grant applications, bids and tenders.
• Develop, validate and implement innovative analytical methods with robust SOPs.
• Contribute to publications, reports and presentations with high quality data.
• Oversee laboratory operations, ISO 17025 compliance, COSHH and audits.
• Line manage and mentor laboratory staff to foster excellence.

Skills

Isotopic analysis

Grant writing

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Lab leadership

Education

PhD in Environmental Chemistry

Tools

EA‑IRMS

Precon‑IRMS

Iso‑TOC

GC‑C‑IRMS

Cavity ring‑down spectroscopy

Job description

Salary - £50,447 - £53,535
Permanent, full or part-time (>0.8 FTE)

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.

About UKCEH

UKCEH is a leading independent research institute with over 600 scientists studying how the natural world works. We take a connected approach across land, water and air to understand environmental systems and build resilience for people and the planet.

About This Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Chemist specialising in light stable isotopes (C, H, N, O & S) to lead the stable isotope analysis in the Analytical Chemistry team in Lancaster, within the acclaimed Environmental Pressures and Responses Group. This multidisciplinary team is at the forefront of understanding how pollution, land‑use change, and climate pressures affect ecosystems. Working across air, land, and water, we generate high-quality evidence that directly informs action on environmental change.

We are seeking a driven and experienced stable isotope specialist with strong, published, expertise in environmental applications who is motivated by both scientific excellence and real-world impact. In this role, you will work in close collaboration with colleagues across UKCEH and the wider scientific community, helping to identify emerging research challenges and shaping compelling ideas that attract funding. We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who are excited by the funding and partnership‑building aspects of research. You will enjoy seeking out opportunities for collaboration, developing research ideas, writing grant applications, and responding to tenders. Whether through advancing laboratory methodologies, building on existing professional networks, or generating fundable ideas rooted in PhD‑level or applied research, you will be resourceful, investigative, and motivated to generate income and impact.

You will thrive in this role if you are ideas‑driven, collaborative, and proactive, with a genuine curiosity for solving complex scientific problems. Comfortable working across multiple projects, you will bring a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and personal ownership, alongside the creativity to develop and implement novel analytical approaches and workflows. Innovation is actively encouraged, and your contributions will directly influence the direction and capability of the team.

Our isotope laboratory has recently benefited from major investment in state‑of‑the‑art instrumentation, significantly enhancing our analytical capabilities. The lab is equipped for a wide range of isotopic analyses, including bulk material analysis (EA‑IRMS), trace gas detection (Precon‑IRMS), dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen (Iso‑TOC), and compound‑specific analysis (GC‑C‑IRMS). We also use advanced cavity ring‑down spectroscopy for precise measurement of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in water, vegetation, and other samples - providing a powerful platform for cutting‑edge, cross‑disciplinary research.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Lead and develop the Stable Isotope Facility, raising its profile within UKCEH and the wider research community, while identifying opportunities to expand isotope applications into new sectors.
• Generate income through grant applications, research bids and commercial tenders, building new scientific and business opportunities.
• Drive the development, validation and implementation of innovative analytical methods, ensuring robust SOPs and high‑quality scientific standards.
• Deliver and support high‑impact scientific outputs, contributing analytical expertise to publications, reports, presentations and other knowledge products.
• Oversee laboratory operations, ensuring data quality, ISO 17025 compliance, COSHH requirements, internal audits, equipment development and safe facility management.
• Line manage, mentor and develop laboratory staff, fostering technical excellence, collaboration, resilience and a high‑performance culture.

We're looking for a passionate and forward‑thinking research chemist to help keep our laboratories and research at the forefront of environmental science. You'll bring strong skills in method innovation, data analysis, scientific communication, and the preparation of reports, publications, and project proposals. Just as importantly, we're seeking someone who is committed to their own professional development and eager to support and mentor others, whether that's managing team members or guiding students, as we continue to build a collaborative and forward‑looking research environment.

What we're looking for:

• PhD in Environmental Chemistry, or equivalent relevant qualification and/or substantial professional experience in a related laboratory environment.
• A strong understanding of fundamental ecological and/or environmental chemistry principles, particularly as they relate to the behaviour and analysis of stable isotopes.
• Proven experience in isotopic a