Senior Assistant Scientist - 31215

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY; Leeds; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

The Environment Agency is seeking a Senior Assistant Scientist for a full-time fixed-term position based in Leeds. This role involves working within a team to deliver analytical services, focusing on organic chemistry, while ensuring strict quality standards are met. Candidates should possess relevant laboratory experience and a degree in a related field.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Local Government Pension scheme

Training and support provided

Qualifications

• 2+ years' experience in an analytical laboratory focused on Organic chemistry.
• Good knowledge of analytical techniques and instrumentation.
• Experience within a UKAS accredited chemistry laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a high-quality analytical service to defined targets.
• Develop new methods and improve existing ones alongside scientists.
• Adhere to Health and Safety procedures at all times.

Skills

Analytical techniques

Communication skills

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

Degree in a relevant subject

Job description

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Senior Assistant Scientist - 31215

Senior Assistant Scientist - 31215

Number of jobs available

1

Region

Yorkshire and the Humber

City/Town

Leeds

Building/Site

DEFRA GRP EA OLYMPIA HOUSE LABORATORY, LS12 6DD

Grade

Staff Grade 3

Post Type

Fixed Term

Role Type

Analytical, Science

Working Pattern

Full Time

Salary Minimum

£28,607 Pro-rata

Closing Date:

07/07/2025, 23:55 hours

Job description attachment 1

Candidate pack

Security checks level

Basic Check

Job description

We really do value a diverse workforce. We want to be an organisation that represents modern Britain and all the communities we serve. We want everybody to feel included, fairly treated and duly recognised for the contribution they make.

If you have experience of analytical chemistry within a laboratory setting and a passion for the natural environment this is an exciting opportunity for you. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join the team based at the Leeds laboratory. You will be directly contributing to the Environment Agency's core responsibilities whilst working in a small team carrying out analysis.

Your main duties will include:
• Working within and supporting a team in delivering a high-quality analytical service to defined time, cost and quality targets
• Working alongside our scientists to improve existing methods and develop new ones when required.
• Analysing samples using a variety of extraction techniques and state of the art instrumentation
• Identifying root causes and rectifying technical issues using your knowledge and problem-solving skills
• Ensuring Health and Safety procedures are adhered to at all times
• The opportunity to take part in a pollution incident rota
• Ensuring all work meets the high-quality standards expected of an ISO17025 accredited laboratory

This role will be on a Monday to Friday work pattern. All EA employees are expected to participate in incident response and will receive relevant training and support to identify an appropriate role which suits their personal circumstances.

The team

You'll be working within a small team alongside approximately 50 other Analytical staff and 8 Customer Services colleagues. We provide analytical services to the Environment Agency and external customers which includes the analysis of sediments, soils, biota and waters from across England and around the coastline, as well as offering a bespoke Forensic Waste Service. If you'd like to know a bit more about our work, please look at our website.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency/about

Experience/skills required

Essential:
• 2 + years' experience of working in an analytical laboratory, focussed on Organic chemistry with a good knowledge of analytical techniques and instrumentation.
• Good communication skills are essential to allow you to work closely with your team and other teams on site.
• Able to work to tight deadlines and have an ability to prioritise workload, while adhering to strict quality criteria.
• Problem solving skills, preferably in a lab environment.
• A team player who enjoys helping others and building and sustaining relationships
• Experience of working within a quality standard or within a UKAS accredited chemistry laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 or equivalent.

Desirable:
• Experience of training others.
• Educated to at least degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject.

Contact and additional information

The role is based at the Leeds laboratory, it is a non-hybrid role and has no travel requirements. The role is a fixed term 12-month contract.
You'll be welcomed into the team and given the training and support you need to succeed in your role. All EA employees are expected to participate in incident response and will receive relevant training. We support flexible working hours to help strike a good balance between work and personal life. You'll have access to a Local Government Pension scheme as well as a host of other benefits.

For further information, please download the candidate pack. Please note, we aim to hold interviews on site within 4 weeks of the advert closing date.
If you have any questions contact [e-mail]

Length of contract

Up to 12 Months

Competence 1

Achieves Results

Description

Explain a time where you have had to deliver multiple pieces of work with conflicting deadlines, how did you achieve this whilst ensuring quality was not compromised. Please use the indicators below as a guide whilst answering the question.
• Maximises work output by setting goals and priorities tracking and measuring outcomes and taking swift remedial action when necessary.
• Can be relied upon to regularly exceed goals agreed.
• Is tenacious and perseveres when others might give up and by doing so achieves the desired results.
• Anticipates forth-coming issues and adjusts actions as necessary.
• Willing to put in extra effort to meet urgent deadlines when required, shows dedication and commitment "goes the extra mile".
• Is resilient and performs well under pressure; responds positively to setbacks and develops alternative action.

Competence 2

Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

Description

As part of your role, you will be required to work within a team to find and resolve technical problems in an optimal and timely manner, by analysing all information available to you.
Tell us of a time you have identified a problem and what processes you followed to resolve the problem. Please use the indicators below as a guide whilst answering the question.
• Uses previous experience and careful analysis to identify potential problems, effective solutions and arrive at sound decisions.
• Identifies and asks appropriate questions to explore and detect root causes of problems or sources and quality of evidence.
• Applies sound techniques to analyse problems, generate options and select best course of action.
• Seeks out and considers the best available information before making decisions. Probes, checks and confirms veracity of data as appropriate.
• Confronts head-on difficult situations where major decisions have to be made quickly.
• Makes sound decisions based on complex or incomplete information and/or within limited timescales.
• Escalates issues when they are beyond own limitations and/or have consequences further than own responsibilities.

Competence 3

Builds and Sustains Relationships

Description

Please provide an example of how you have built relationships within your team and with other teams at work and how you did this. Please use the indicators below as a guide whilst answering the question.
• Respects different views, cultures, values, opinions and the contributions that all colleagues make
• Makes an active effort to fit in and respect company norms (the "way we do things" in the agency)
• Balances team and personal interests for a win-win outcome
• Displays tact and diplomacy and builds rapport quickly, establishing needs and adapting own approach.
• Communicates honestly, openly and effectively with colleagues and external partners alike
• Openly identifies and challenges inappropriate behaviour or performance constructively and speaks out even when the message is unpopular.
• Handles people situations effectively; defuses anger, tension, focuses on issues and successfully addresses problems.

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit for more information.