Scientist

Scottish Water; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

38 days holiday per year

Flexible working

Company bonus scheme

Pension

Life assurance

Volunteer days

SW Splash rewards

Job summary

Scottish Water is seeking a Scientist for the Inorganics wing in Edinburgh. You will analyse inorganic parameters in water and wastewater, prioritise tasks for a team of scientists, and manage routine instrument maintenance to avoid downtime.

You will translate laboratory results for customers, work toward ISO 17025 and ISO 14001 standards, and uphold health and safety with targeted 100% compliance. Join a supportive team focused on high-quality, great-tasting water.

Qualifications

• Love science and hold a chemistry-related qualification.
• Familiarity with ISO 17025 or GLP in analytical labs is a plus.
• Commitment to excellent customer service and continuous process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Analyse inorganic parameters (Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, pH, nutrients) in water and wastewater.
• Prioritise workload within the team and maintain instrumentation to prevent downtime.
• Translate lab results for customers while ensuring quality and compliance with ISO standards.

Skills

Science knowledge

Analytical thinking

Customer service

Process improvement

Education

Chemistry-related degree

HND

Job description

Most people don't think too much about how clean water reaches their taps. Or what happens to their wastewater.

But Scottish Water does. In fact, it's all we think about.

Want to help? As a Scientist within our busy Inorganics wing in Edinburgh, you'll be on the front lines of making sure Scotland's drinking water is high quality and great tasting, all while protecting our environment by checking our wastewater.

What you'll do

Clean water doesn't just happen. Our team of 320 samplers, scientists and support staff are hard at work, analysing their way through an average of one test every minute. With so many tests going through the lab, you'll prioritise work within your team. And you'll manage routine maintenance of instrumentation to help avoid unplanned downtime.

Day-to-day, you'll be analysing inorganic parameters such as Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, pH and Nutrients in waters and wastewater using a variety of instrumentation and wet chemistry techniques to help ensure the quality of Scotland's Water and environment. Then you'll help us translate the results for customers. Getting it right is important, so you'll work to ISO 17025 and ISO 14001 (if you know, you know).

Naturally, we've got a big focus on health and safety. The goal? 100% compliance with the strictest standards - many of them set out in law.

What you'll need

• First of all, you love science. You know chemical testing and analysis inside-out, ideally backed up by a HND or degree-level qualification in a Chemistry related scientific discipline. And, although it probably goes without saying, maintaining a safe and healthy workplace is your thing.
• Ideally, you'll have some experience working in an ISO 17025 or GLP-accredited analytical laboratory - or at least have a good handle on the standard.
• Beyond that, we hope that delivering great customer service is what gets you out of bed in the morning. And you're committed to always improving processes.

Looking out for you

While the work we do is important, we know it's not the only thing that matters. That's why we make sure you have everything you need to find a good work-life balance.

• You'll get plenty of time to recharge with 38 days of holiday every year (including public holidays).
• And you can even buy five more if you need a little extra time.
• You can also take time off to volunteer in your community.
• When it comes to major life events we have family-friendly policies around adoption, maternity, and parental leave.
• And for the everyday? We embrace flexible working.
• For your future, there's our pension (the know-what-you'll-get-when-you-retire' kind), and life assurance.
• As for some nice extras? You will participate in a company bonus scheme.
• Not to mention access to SW Splash - handy rewards that can save you money on holidays, bills, and shopping

The not-so-small print

This role will be a Grade 5. If you're new to Scottish Water, you'll join us on a starting salary of £33,951. Performance-driven pay progression would then allow you to move through the range to a maximum of £39,911.

The laboratory provides analytical services from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm with weekend working and standby requirements.

Job offers at Scottish Water are conditional, and will be confirmed on completion of our pre-employment screening, e.g. referencing, criminal record checks, license checks, etc. Screening is conducted on our behalf by a third party, and must be completed before your start date. Don't worry - we'll only start these checks once you've accepted an offer.