Specialist - Chemical Hazard Evaluation - 30921

Environment Agency; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The Environment Agency is seeking a regulatory scientist to assess environmental hazards of chemicals under UK regulations. This role involves evaluating chemical dossiers, summarizing ecotoxicity data, and contributing to research initiatives. Ideal candidates will have a relevant degree and experience in environmental assessments, with strong analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications

• At least two years of applied experience assessing environmental effects of chemicals.
• Ability to analyze complex scientific data and extract key information.
• Experience in environmental hazard and risk assessment of chemicals.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate reliability of ecotoxicity information and safety assessments.
• Summarize environmental effects studies and modelled estimates.
• Contribute to priority setting and identify further research areas.

Skills

Scientific Knowledge

Data Analysis

Communication

Organizational Skills

Education

First degree in a relevant scientific discipline

Job description

Specialist - Chemical Hazard Evaluation - 30921

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Job Description

Do you want to work for an organisation that values difference and includes everyone? Then the Environment Agency is the organisation for you! We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share.

We are recruiting a regulatory scientist to assess the environmental hazard and risk of industrial and consumer chemicals under the UK REACH and CLP Regulations.

Working in a team of science specialists in our Chemicals Assessment Unit (CAU), you will:

1. Evaluate the reliability and relevance of ecotoxicity and environmental fate information and safety assessments in chemical dossiers and reports prepared by companies or other regulatory authorities to identify key regulatory endpoints;
2. Summarise and present endpoints from environmental effects studies, fate data, and modelled estimates;
3. Describe study test methods, highlighting data limitations and uncertainty;
4. Use data to conclude on appropriate environmental classifications under CLP and whether UK REACH registration standard information requirements are met;
5. Provide quality assurance review and alternative interpretations (where necessary);
6. Contribute to priority setting and identify areas of further research;
7. Inform test guideline development and support our work implementing animal replacement methods;
8. Work to defined timescales to deliver outputs on time and within resource;
9. Build relationships and consult with colleagues in other teams and government bodies.

Responding to incidents is a central part of our work. You will be asked 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 will be provided.

The team, the Chemicals Assessment Unit, is part of the Research division within the Chief Scientist’s Group. We are a dispersed team with hub office locations. We provide scientific support to HSE and UK Government on environmental matters relating to UK REACH, CLP Regulations, and POPs Convention. Our role involves assessing environmental hazards and exposure of chemicals, proposing risk management actions, and collaborating with global partners and authorities.

Experience/Skills Required

You must have at least a first degree in a relevant scientific discipline such as chemistry, biology, or environmental science. You should have at least two years of applied experience assessing the environmental effects and/or fate of chemicals, possibly in a regulated industry sector, at a national or international level.

You need to analyze complex scientific and numerical data to extract key information for conclusions and follow standard guidance confidently.

Excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills are essential to meet deadlines.

In your answers to the competency questions, demonstrate your relevant experience in environmental hazard and risk assessment of chemicals, including specific examples of your application of knowledge within the context of REACH and CLP regulations.

Contact and Additional Information

The position offers a flexible/hybrid working location. You should be comfortable working remotely and collaborating effectively. Some travel and overnight stays may be required.

Review the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for guidance on answering competency questions.

Applications are assessed blindly based on your competency responses. High application volume may lead to an initial sift based on competence 1. Feedback is generally not provided after the sift.

Interviews are scheduled for July via MS Teams and may include a technical data exercise.

For further details, contact [e-mail].

Competencies:

• Scientific Knowledge: Apply scientific knowledge to provide sound evidence. Describe how you've applied your expertise in environmental hazard or risk assessment, including your knowledge depth and scope.
• Data and Information Management: Collect, analyze, interpret, and share data appropriately. Share an example of analyzing complex environmental hazard data for a chemical, considering data reliability and relevance.
• Takes Decisions and Solves Problems: Find and deliver solutions by analyzing information and making timely decisions. Describe a significant problem you solved, your thought process, and the outcome.

Note: The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; employment does not count as civil service. We promote diversity and inclusion, welcome flexible working, and guarantee interviews for applicants with disabilities meeting minimum criteria.