Laboratory Scientist - Inorganic Chemistry - Wastewater

Uisce Éireann Irish Water; Munster; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) seeks a Laboratory Scientist – Inorganic Chemistry (Wastewater) to support day-to-day analytical operations and reporting for water and wastewater samples. The role requires preparation, analysis and timely reporting, ensuring conformity to ISO17025 and QMS standards.

The position involves initial development hours 9am–5pm, with rosters covering 8am–8pm, weekends and public holidays as needed, and roster participation allowances where applicable.

Qualifications

• Third Level qualification in a Science discipline relevant to their area of expertise.
• Minimum of 3 years relevant experience in ISO17025 laboratory or similar.
• Knowledge of ISO17025 accreditation process and requirements desirable.
• Experience with Laboratory Quality Management Systems (QMS) and LIMS.

Responsibilities

• Assist with delivery of a high-quality service to UĒ and its customers, with processes complying with EPA, INAB, ISO17025 standards and regulatory requirements.
• Analyse clean and waste samples for chemical analyses in their area.
• Participate in weekend and public holiday roster when required.
• Develop, verify and validate new and existing methodologies for analysis of waters and wastewaters.
• Participate in proficiency testing schemes in their area.
• Report, review and authorise laboratory test results in compliance with Quality System and regulatory requirements.
• Undertake risk assessments and internal audits as required.
• Perform equipment troubleshooting, maintenance and checks to ensure fit for purpose.

Skills

Science degree

ISO17025 knowledge

Laboratory analysis

Analytical techniques

Education

Science degree (Chemistry)

Tools

LIMS

Quality Management System

Job description

The Environmental Regulation function is responsible for the day-to-day management of environmental regulation and compliance. The function monitors the compliance of the water and wastewater network and treatment works, influences external environmental policy, and manages environmental stakeholder relationships. Environmental Regulation provides expertise to the Uisce Éireann business on influencing environmental policy and managing stakeholders around environmental regulation affecting Uisce Éireann’s practices. The function provides regulatory expertise to the business, including the Senior Leadership team, in all aspects of environmental regulation. The team provides support on legislative and regulatory changes that will affect Uisce Éireann policies in the future.

The Scientific and Technical Services functional area is responsible for the national provision of operational support services to include sampling and laboratory analytics, ensuring that activities are performed in accordance with regulatory obligations to protect public health and the environment. The Laboratory sub-area is responsible for providing chemical and microbiological analytical services in support of the regulatory sampling programs, operational monitoring, capital investment, and customer complaints.

Reporting directly to the Technical Manager in their area, the Laboratory Scientist – Inorganic Chemistry - Wastewater is responsible for assisting with delivering a quality service to Uisce Éireann and its customers, complying with the requirements of the Quality management system and ISO17025 standard. This will be achieved by contributing to team performance and the efficient and effective use of resources. They will participate in the day-to-day operation of the laboratory, carrying out sample preparation, analysis and reporting duties for Water and Wastewater Samples for Uisce Éireann (UÉ) as required.

Please note the following working hours and duties apply to the operational phase of the Laboratory and Sampling service. There will be an initial development phase in which working hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and duties relating to the development of the service will apply until the operational phase commences.

The role requires flexibility in terms of working hours as the role holder will be required to participate in standard hours working rosters to cover Laboratory operational hours of 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday. There is also a service commitment to providing laboratory cover on weekends and Public Holidays. When required to perform weekend/public holiday work this will be infrequent as part of a defined rota and in addition to the standard working week. Rostered work performed outside 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday will be remunerated as a roster participation allowance.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with delivery of a high-quality service to UÉ and its customers, with processes complying with the requirements of the EPA, INAB, ISO17025 standards, regulatory requirements, and the management system.
• Responsible for the analysis of clean and waste samples for chemical analyses in their area.
• Participate in the weekend and public holiday roster within the Chemistry laboratories when required, per approved rotas.
• Participate in the development, verification, and validation of new and existing methodologies for the analysis of waters, wastewaters and related samples in UÉ, as required.
• Responsible for participation in proficiency testing (PT) Schemes in their area.
• Drive cost efficiency and quality, challenging and developing solutions for improvements to existing practices and adopting industry best practice.
• Timely reporting, review, and authorisation of laboratory test results (including statements of conformity where applicable) in their department, in compliance with the Quality System, ISO17025 and regulatory requirements.
• Undertake and participate in risk assessments (H&S and operational) in their area, according to ISO17025, UÉ and QMS requirements, as required.
• Participate in internal audits according to ISO17025 and QMS requirements, as required.
• Undertake and participate in nonconforming work investigations according to ISO17025 and QMS requirements, as required.
• Perform equipment trouble shooting, maintenance and checks as trained and directed, ensuring the equipment is fit for purpose, in compliance with ISO 17025.
• Preparation of standards and quality controls and monitoring of performance (for example, control charts, calibration curves) in their area, as required.
• Establish and maintain positive, professional working relationships with the Laboratory team and supporting UÉ HR policies and initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with Line Manager, team and with wider STS and UE stakeholders to deliver strategic objectives.
• Monitor and report KPIs for processes as assigned.
• Responsible for carrying out any other duties which the Technical Manager may reasonably request.
• Adhere to all HSQE plans, policies and procedures.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaboration with key internal stakeholders across the UÉ business
• Responsible for promoting and delivering health and safety commitments across UÉ and its supply chain, reinforcing positive behaviours and delivering health and safety objectives and requirements to the highest industry standards
• Support the delivery of the Uisce Éireann Transformation Programme, driving results required within the Directorate and supporting organisation-wide objectives
• Conducts duties and responsibilities in accordance with Uisce Éireann’s Information Security policies, standards, processes and controls to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of UÉ business information and delivery of critical services, in accordance with the NIS Directive and any other relevant cybersecurity regulation
• Other duties as required

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Third Level qualification in a Science discipline relevant to their area of expertise.
• Minimum of 3 years relevant experience within their area of expertise, preferably in an ISO17025 testing laboratory or similar: Inorganic Chemistry (Water, Wastewater)
• Demonstrate knowledge of current analytical best practices and procedures within their area of expertise: Inorganic Chemistry. For example (but not limited to): pH, BOD, Suspended Solids, UV/VIS, IC, TOC, COD.
• Knowledge of ISO17025 accreditation process and requirements desirable.
• Experience of Laboratory Quality Management Systems (QMS) and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
• Able to work to deadlines and adapt to changing conditions and ambiguity, generating effective and pragmatic solutions to new situations and problems as they are presented
• Proven track record in identifying opportunities for process improvements and innovation
• Highly motivated individual, working to the highest professional and ethical standards and with proven ability to deliver results and communicate information to others.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to identify and analyse problems and potential improvements and propose and implement solutions
• Ability to develop effective partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders and ability to look for and listen to diverse perspectives
• Demonstrate the ability to fix safety issues quickly and look for improvements in line with business strategy

The closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is 26/10/26.

Please note that applications submitted after this closing date will not be accepted.