Research Chemist- Stable Isotopes

UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Lancaster; On-site; GBP 50,447 - 53,535; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Hybrid working options

Pension contribution

Health benefits

Life assurance

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology in Lancaster is seeking a Research Chemist specialising in light stable isotopes to lead the Stable Isotope Facility within the Environmental Pressures and Responses Group. You will develop novel analytical workflows, collaborate across UKCEH and with national partners, and drive grant-funded research.

The role requires a PhD in Environmental Chemistry or equivalent, a strong track record in isotopic analyses using IRMS, and proven success in securing funding

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent with expertise in stable isotopes.
• Strong ecological/environmental chemistry background.
• Publications in peer‑reviewed journals and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Lead Stable Isotope Facility and expand applications.
• Generate income through grants and tenders.
• Develop and validate analytical methods and SOPs.
• Deliver high‑impact scientific outputs and reports.
• Oversee lab operations, quality systems and safety.
• Mentor and develop staff for technical excellence.

Skills

Isotope analysis

Environmental chemistry

Grant writing / funding bids

Education

PhD in Environmental Chemistry

Tools

IRMS

Method development

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.

In this role, you will thrive 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

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 analyses with working knowledge of stable isotope analytical instruments (especially IRMS and incl. method development and optimisation).
• Specialist knowledge of method development for isotopic analysis in diverse matrices.
• Established track record of publishing in peer‑reviewed journals and delivering impactful presentations at scientific conferences.
• Demonstrable success in securing research funding through competitive bids.

What we offer

• Generous annual leave - 27 days (rising to 29 days after 5 years) +3 for Christmas closure
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Financial protection through life assurance and income protection
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies
• Flexible and hybrid working options (depending on your role)
• Lifestyle perks including dental, gym, retail and cycling discounts
• A commitment to wellbeing, supported by a range of internal initiatives
• Employee Assistance Programme and health benefits, including 24/7 support with remote GP access, mental health, physiotherapy and lifestyle services
• Peer recognition and rewards that celebrate your contribution
• Salary sacrifice agreement benefits including Electric & Plug‑in Hybrid vehicle and Cycle2Work schemes
• Interest‑free annual travel season ticket loans (terms apply)

Our commitment to inclusion

At UKCEH, we believe everyone should feel welcome and able to be themselves at work. We warmly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. As a Disability Confident employer, we’re happy to support you with any adjustments you may need throughout the recruitment process.

A note on sponsorship

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self‑sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.

Here you can explore the kind of roles we recruit for, search our latest vacancies, learn more about what it’s like to work at UKCEH, and find out about the many benefits of joining our team. Every one of our 600+ staff and 50+ postgraduate students plays a vital role in delivering our ambition to understand the environment and the human impact on it, so that together people and nature can prosper.

How we work is just as important as what we achieve. We want UKCEH to be a welcoming, inclusive, engaging and collaborative place to work. We embed our values – excellence, integrity and teamwork – into everything we do. For further information, please visit the UKCEH Website.