Senior Assistant Scientist Inorganics - 31071

Environment Agency; Exeter; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

The Environment Agency is looking for an Assistant Scientist to join their team in Exeter. You will be responsible for routine sample analysis to uphold quality standards, support a busy team, and ensure that analytical services meet deadlines and specifications. Ideal candidates will have strong teamwork and IT skills, as well as a commitment to quality management in environmental analysis.

Qualifications

• Enjoys working in a busy team environment with tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of quality management systems is essential.
• Excellent IT skills for data management and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Carry out routine sample analysis and monitor instrument performance.
• Support day-to-day activities of the team and provide technical support.
• Maintain internal quality systems and assist with customer queries.

Skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Problem Solving

Time Management

Communication

Job description

3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Job Description

The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment.

Job Description

The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment.

You will be required to carry out routine sample analysis and approval of results, to ensure delivery of our analytical services to defined time, cost and quality targets. You will be required to support the day-to-day activities of Assistant Scientists in the team, monitor and prioritise workload, provide technical support, training and assessment of competency of staff in analytical methods.

You will also monitor instrument performance, applying your technical knowledge to trouble shoot and liaise with the Team Scientists, manufacturers and engineers to resolve issues. You will assist with customer queries and communicate with our Customer Services Teams to ensure key analytical targets are achieved.

You will assist with the maintenance of our internal quality systems, including maintaining documentation, monitor Bias/RSD performance of our methods and carry out non-conforming work investigations in line with our ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

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 own personal circumstances.

The team

You will be part of the National Regulation and Monitoring that provides analytical services to the Environment Agency and external customers. Based at Starcross the team, of 24 staff, analyse environmental water samples for Inorganic analytes using a range of different techniques and instrumentation.

Experience/skills Required

You must enjoy working in a busy team environment, often under pressure to achieve results. You must have knowledge of how quality management systems work, with the ability to apply this knowledge to deliver continuous improvements to the analysis of environmental samples. You will be self-motivated and organised with excellent attention to detail. You should be able to prioritise demanding workloads, be comfortable working to tight deadlines, and have a pragmatic approach to achieving objectives.

A strong team ethic is essential, as is an ability to work independently.

Excellent IT skills, you will be able to work across a range of software to communicate, store, analyse and interpret data.

Contact and additional information

The role is based on a 37 hour working week with 2 working patterns available (Monday-Friday and Tuesday-Saturday). This is a non-hybrid role and you’ll be required to work these hours at Starcross Laboratory. Occasional travel may be required for training/courses.

For further details please contact Andrew Welham email: [e-mail]

Interviews due in May and on the day of the interview there will be a 1 hour written quality question to complete.

Competence 1

Delivers Results Through Others

Description

Please give us an example of how you have delivered a piece of work using a team, and what did you learn from this.

Competence 2

Works in Teams

Description

Please give us an example of when you have had to build a working relationship with a member of staff who was very different to yourself.

Competence 3

Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

Description

Please give us an example of a problem that you solved and how did you go about solving this issue?

Competence 4

Scientific Knowledge

Description

What is your understanding of Inorganic water analysis in a ISO17025 accredited laboratory.

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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Associate

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

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