Scientist - Inorganic Chemistry - 12 month Fixe...

Affinity Water; Staines-upon-Thames; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water services company in the UK is seeking a qualified individual to ensure accurate analysis of water samples while adhering to detailed quality standards. Responsibilities include mentoring junior colleagues and compliance with quality control procedures. The position demands a degree in a relevant scientific field and strong attention to detail. This role offers competitive compensation and benefits like an annual bonus, enhanced family leave, and a robust pension scheme.

Benefits

Competitive salary depending on skills and experience

Annual bonus scheme

Generous pension scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Life assurance

Discounts at retail outlets

Qualifications

• Degree in chemistry or related to chemical sciences.
• Ability to follow strict procedures without deviation.
• Flexibility to manage workload fluctuations.

Responsibilities

• Ensure routine and non-routine samples are analysed.
• Comply with internal quality control procedures.
• Mentor junior colleagues.

Skills

Attention to detail

Ability to work under pressure

Computer literacy

Good communication skills

Education

Recognised degree in a relevant science-based subject

Job description

Principal accountabilities

• Ensuring routine and non-routine samples are analysed in accordance with documented methods and to UKAS (DWTS) requirements, within appropriate timescales.
• Complying with Internal Quality Control procedures and reporting in the appropriate manner.
• Analysis of Proficiency Testing (PT) Scheme samples and reporting results in a timely manner.
• Initiating appropriate action when samples fail to meet the required water quality standards or other agreed notification standards.
• Basic use of the laboratory information management system (LIMS) to register samples, produce worksheets and enter analytical results in a timely manner.
• Participation in internal and external training courses identified as appropriate to your continued development.
• Maintaining up to date and accurate CPD records.
• Mentoring junior colleagues in areas of specialist expertise.
• Produce informative and accurate reports, as requested by line manager, on specific areas of responsibility.
• Explore ways to improve efficiencies and reduce costs through the implementation of new processes and technologies.

What you need

• You will have a recognised degree in a relevant science-based subject, preferably chemistry or related to chemical sciences.
• You are an individual with attention to detail that enjoys working in a routine environment.
• You can follow strict procedures time after time without deviation.
• You can work well under pressure and have a common-sense approach to problem solving.
• You will have a reasonable level of computer literacy and good communication skills.
• You have flexibility to respond to accommodating and prioritising workload fluctuations.

Benefits

• Competitive salary dependant on skills and experience
• Learning and development opportunities, including mentoring and a range of formal courses and open learning resources.
• Entry into the company annual bonus scheme.
• Annual leave from 23-27 rising with length of service, and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days.
• A ‘Celebration Day’ in addition to public holidays that people can use to celebrate a religious festival or other occasion that is important to them.
• A generous 'double match pension scheme' that doubles the contributions you make (company contribution capped at 12%)
• We offer a range of family benefits including enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support Leave and up to 5 full or 10 half days of paid Carers Leave.
• Menopause policy and Reasonable Adjustment policy to help everyone perform at their best.
• Access to our Wellbeing Centre with support for looking after your physical and mental health.
• Discounts at a Range of Retail Outlets and on Dental and Medical Insurance through our Tap4Perks scheme.
• Up to 4 Affinity days a year to volunteer in the community.
• Life Assurance.

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to offering interviews to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria and opt in on the application form. Ask the Talent Acquisition lead for the full job description to see all the criteria. If we have a very high volume of applicants and we’re not able to offer interviews to all, we’ll take a fair and proportionate number of disabled candidates through.

What is a disability?

A disability is a long-term physical or mental health condition that has a substantial impact on someone’s day-to-day activities.

What if I need adjustments during the recruitment process?

Let the Talent Acquisition lead mentioned on the job advert know – they’ll be able to help you.

Affinity Water recognises the benefits of greater diversity in our workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We are committed to building a more inclusive culture where every member of our workforce can thrive.

You can find out what it’s like to work at Affinity Water through our career site where our colleagues share their career development stories and you can get a feel for our company culture.