Technical Specialist – Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time of Flight - 17196

An exciting opportunity has arisen to support the development of Organic Chemistry in the Environment Agency's Monitoring Laboratories (formally National Laboratory Service), through a project using Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry methodology (LCQTOF).
The responsibilities of the laboratory Technical Specialist are multi-faceted; working with customers to identify, develop and evolve methodology, to support and direct the development of staff to deliver both results and productivity and to promote the work of the Monitoring Laboratories to a wider audience.
This specific role is to work alongside the existing Organic Chemistry team and has been funded to deliver a new non target screening methodology for the analysis of organic environmental pollutants by LCQTOF. The work will involve the set up and configuration of a newly purchased instrument, extraction of a range of biota and other sample materials, with target and non-target analysis. You will use a range of database such as the Norman Digital Sample Freezing Platform, to produce reports on the presence of pollutants and by working with end users of the data, you will form part of the Environment Agency’s Priority Early Warning System.

Monitoring Laboratories is accredited to ISO/IEC17025 with 4 sites across the country – Leeds, Starcross, Exeter and Brampton. The Leeds Laboratory has a staff base of 35 staff and specialises in a range analysis with a focus on biota, sediment, soil and waste samples and this role will build upon that expertise.

Educated to degree level or equivalent, you will be able to demonstrate significant experience of developing LCQTOF methodology combined with experience in the preparation and challenges of complex matrices and will ideally have worked at a senior scientific level within a laboratory or academic institution.
Excellent knowledge of laboratory quality systems and results delivery to an exceptional standard, you will able to demonstrate the proven ability to apply your knowledge and experience to deliver new technological and report writing.

Critical to the role will be your ability to achieve results using LCQTOF through the decisions you make, solving problems and the development of people. At the forefront of developing this nationally critical service, you’ll work closely with the laboratory managers and customers where you will collaborate and coordinate with a team of scientists to integrate this new method and maintain and develop appropriate specialised knowledge.

For additional information on the role please contact Steve Moss on steve.moss@environment-agency.gov.uk

Tell us about a time when you have had to give project updates to Managers on a project that had a significant involvement with LCMS TOF. How did you explain the detailed technical aspects so that non technical people could engage with your work?

Tell us about a time when you have had to deliver a project to time, cost and quality where you were the operator of an LCMS TOF.

Tell us about a time when you have had to pass on your knowledge of LCMS TOF to others to develop new operators.

Tell us about a time when you have carried out work using LCMS TOF as part of a structured project and you have provided reports to a Project Board.

Tell us about a time when you have worked as part of a team to deliver a project where you were the operator of an LCMS TOF.

Tell us about a time when you had to solve problems to deliver a project where you were the operator of an LCMS TOF.