Senior Environmental Chemist

Smithers; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental testing firm based in Harrogate is seeking a Senior Environmental Chemist to join their Analytical Chemistry team. This role will involve leading method development for complex environmental matrices and engaging with clients to ensure successful study delivery. Candidates should possess a strong analytical background, especially in LC-MS/MS and GC methods, along with excellent problem-solving and communication skills. This position offers opportunities for career development within a supportive team.

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance

Employer-matched pension contributions

Eyecare vouchers

Ride to Work scheme

Life assurance cover

Employee Assistance Programme

Free mortgage advice service

Qualifications

• Significant experience in analytical method development within a regulated environment.
• Strong expertise in LC-MS/MS and GC techniques.
• Experience with pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, and agrochemicals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver analytical method development activities.
• Engage directly with clients and discuss technical approaches.
• Support audits and regulatory interactions.

Skills

Analytical method development

LC-MS/MS

GC instrumentation

Client-facing communication

Regulatory awareness

Education

BSc, MSc or PhD in Chemistry or related discipline

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Environmental Chemist to join the Analytical Chemistry team, part of the Chemistry department within the Environmental Risk Sciences (ERS) division of Smithers, based in Harrogate.

This role is ideal for an experienced analytical scientist with a strong background in method development and validation, particularly for pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, agrochemicals, and biocides, who is looking to play a key role in shaping the technical and scientific direction of a growing team.

Smithers ERS Limited provides environmental and regulatory safety testing services to clients across the pharmaceutical, agricultural, chemical, and biocidal sectors. Our analytical teams support regulatory submissions by generating high-quality, defensible data in compliance with international guidelines and quality systems.

The Role

Reporting to the Director of Chemistry, the Senior Environmental Chemist will lead and deliver complex analytical method development activities, supporting both routine and novel studies. The role includes a mix of hands‑on laboratory work, GLP Study Director responsibilities, and client‑facing scientific interaction, making it well suited to a technically strong scientist with good communication skills and regulatory awareness.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development of analytical strategies for emerging contaminants, supporting environmental exposure, fate, and risk assessment studies under GLP and non‑GLP frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, optimise, and validate analytical methods for target molecule within complex environmental relevant matrices
• Apply advanced analytical techniques, with a strong focus on LC-MS/MS and GC-based methods
• Act as Study Director for assigned analytical and environmental chemistry studies
• Provide technical leadership and scientific input into study design and method strategy
• Support the identification and assessment of emerging environmental contaminants
• Interpret complex analytical data and produce high-quality, regulator-ready reports
• Engage directly with clients to discuss technical approaches, troubleshoot challenges, and support study delivery
• Contribute to continuous improvement, innovation, and best practice within the analytical team
• Support audits, inspections, and regulatory interactions as required

Qualifications and Experience

• BSc, MSc or PhD in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, or a related discipline
• Significant practical experience in analytical method development within a regulated laboratory or CRO environment
• Strong hands‑on expertise with LC‑MS/MS and GC instrumentation
• Experience working with pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, agrochemicals, and/or biocidal products
• Demonstrated understanding of emerging contaminants in the environment and their analytical challenges
• Experience acting as a Study Director or supporting study direction under GLP is highly desirable
• Strong problem‑solving ability, attention to detail, and scientific judgement
• Excellent communication, organisational, and client‑facing skills

We Offer

We offer the opportunity to work on diverse and technically challenging projects alongside experienced scientists, while developing a rewarding and flexible career. Our benefits include:

• Private Medical Insurance with Bupa
• Employer‑matched pension contributions
• Eyecare vouchers
• Ride to Work scheme
• Life assurance cover
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free mortgage advice service

Join Smithers and help shape the future of environmental and analytical science.