Senior Assistant Scientist Organics Screening - 31223

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY; Leeds; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization is seeking a Senior Assistant Scientist for their Organics Screening team in Leeds. The ideal candidate will use LCMS and GCMS techniques in a laboratory focused on environmental monitoring. This role involves supporting team initiatives, solving analytical problems, and maintaining high-quality standards in a full-time permanent position.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible Working Hours

Training and Development Opportunities

Free Onsite Parking

Qualifications

• Experience in laboratory environments under ISO17025 standards.
• Ability to articulate technical knowledge for training others.

Responsibilities

• Ensure adherence to ISO17025 quality standards in the laboratory.
• Support technical leads and investigate complex problems.
• Proficient in screening analysis techniques.

Skills

Knowledge of LCMS

Knowledge of GCMS

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Teamwork

Education

Laboratory Experience

ISO17025 Quality Management Systems

Job description

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Senior Assistant Scientist Organics Screening - 31223

Senior Assistant Scientist Organics Screening - 31223

Number of jobs available

2

Region

Yorkshire and the Humber

City/Town

Leeds

Building/Site

DEFRA GRP EA OLYMPIA HOUSE LABORATORY, LS12 6DD

Grade

Staff Grade 3

Post Type

Permanent

Role Type

Science

Working Pattern

Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Part Time Term Time, Compressed Hours, Other

Salary Minimum

£28,607

Closing Date:

06/07/2025, 23:55 hours

Job description attachment 1

Candidate pack

Security checks level

Basic Check

Job description

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

This is an exciting time to join the Environment Agency's Monitoring Laboratories (ML) as we expand our low-level organic screening capabilities to deliver an increase in demand for this critical environmental monitoring tool. The team is currently expanding to meet new workstream demand from the Environmental Agency. As such you will be part of a team of skilled analysts who will run work routinely by using your knowledge of the techniques involved in the analysis of Organic compounds. You will be part of the wider Organics team and may be involved in other non-screening analysis as required.

You will be required to:
• Ensure your work area adheres to the high-quality standards of an ISO17025 laboratory.
• Support the technical leads in investigating and finding solutions to sometimes complex problems.
• Implement improvements to existing methodologies.
• Become proficient in screening analysis techniques across a range of water matrices.
• Work alongside the technical leads on any future developments within the Screens Team.
• You will be required to form close working relationships with less experienced members of the team and support them to learn and build their knowledge.
• Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training, and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.

This is a permanent role working Monday - Friday

The team

Initially you will be part of a project team creating additional capacity to deliver the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment Programme. Once developed you will become part of our core Leeds operational team alongside approximately 60 other staff. We provide analytical services to the Environment Agency and external customers including the analysis of sediments, soils, biota and waters from across England and around the coastline.
To find out more, please look at our website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency/about

Experience/skills required

Essential:
• Knowledge and experience in LCMS and GCMS techniques.
• Able to articulate technical knowledge in a clear way that allows you to train and develop others.
• Enjoy working in a busy environment, balancing priorities to achieve results.
• Experience of working in a laboratory environment, preferably operating under ISO17025 quality management systems.
• Good organisational skills and an ability to plan and prioritise your work to deliver key objectives
• Strong communication skills to allow you to operate effectively in a team working environment
• Understand the health and safety requirements of working in a laboratory environment

Desirable:
• Experience in screening techniques and knowledge of organic substances and their impact on the environment
• Experience of investigating quality control breaches in a laboratory

Contact and additional information

You'll be welcomed into the team and given the training and support you need to succeed in your role. We support flexible working hours and practices to help you 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.

Our laboratory is off the M621 and well served by public transport links with free onsite parking. Occasional travel may be required for training/courses.

For further information please download the candidate pack. Interviews will be on site at our Leeds laboratory in late July. If you have any questions, contact the hiring manager: [e-mail]

Competence 1

Applies Analytical Knowledge and Experience

Description

Description: Applies acquired knowledge and experience to produce and interpret results from samples analysed in a chemistry/ microbiology laboratory.

Question: Describe your experiences of using GCMS and/or LCMS methodologies in an operational laboratory and how your expertise has enhanced the laboratory practices.

*Please Note: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You might find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your response. The EA capability dictionary can be accessed externally via search engines.

Competence 2

Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

Description

Description: Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives, and taking sound and timely decisions.

Question: Please give an example of when you have solved an Organic technical problem which could have comprised the quality of the data produced.

*Please Note: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You might find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your response. The EA capability dictionary can be accessed externally via search engines.

Competence 3

Achieves Results

Description

Description: Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets.
Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results

Question: Give a work-based example of when you have had multiple tasks to manage and how you went about this to achieve the key performance indicators of the team.

*Please Note: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You might find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your response. The EA capability dictionary can be accessed externally via search engines.

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.