Senior Assistant Scientist Organics Screening - 32060

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

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

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

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 November. If you have any questions, contact the hiring manager: andrew.green@environment-agency.gov.uk

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.

Question: Please give an example of when you have solved an Organic technical problem which could have compromised 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.

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.