Assistant Scientist - 32276

Assistant Scientist - 32276
1
Yorkshire and the Humber
Leeds
Staff Grade 2
Permanent
Science
Full Time
£25,301

23/11/2025, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person with relevant experience and skills to come and join us in our Monitoring Laboratory based in Leeds. You will be directly contributing to the Environment Agency response to climate change by working within a small team carrying out the analysis of solid and liquid environmental samples.
We really do value a diverse workforce. We want to be an organisation that represents modern Britain and all the communities we serve. We want everybody to feel included, fairly treated and duly recognised for the contribution they make.
Your main duties will include:
• Receiving deliveries of samples and goods coming into the laboratory
• Registration of samples using the laboratory computer system
• Provide support to the team and customers.
• Undertaking daily quality checks of equipment for the team.
• Management and storage of samples including sample logistics and disposal.
• Keeping work areas tidy
• Ensuring Health and Safety procedures are adhered to
• Carrying out routine laboratory tasks e.g. routine calibrations, stock control, making of analytical standards
• Pollution incident rota
You’ll be working within a small team alongside approximately 50 other Analytical staff and 12 Customer Services colleagues. We provide analytical services to the Environment Agency and external customers which includes the analysis of sediments, soils, biota and waters from across England and around the coastline, as well as offering a bespoke Forensic Waste Service. If you’d like to know a bit more about our work, please take a look at our website
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency/about
You will ideally be able to demonstrate some of the following skills:
• Comfortable with the use of IT including Microsoft office – (training will be given on software required for the role)
• Self-motivated with a close attention to detail and an ability to follow procedures to achieve results
• Excellent communication skills
• A team player who enjoys helping others and building and sustaining relationships
• Strong customer focus
• Working to tight deadlines and an ability to prioritise workloads
• Problem solving skills are preferable
• Experience of working within a quality standard or within a UKAS accredited laboratory is desirable but not essential
Full training will be provided to the successful candidate.
You’ll be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support you need to succeed in your new role.
We support flexible working hours and practices to help you strike a good balance between your work and personal life. You’ll have access to a Local Government Pension scheme as well as a host of other employee benefits.
Our Leeds laboratory is off the M621 and well served by public transport links, we have secure bike pods and free staff parking on site.
For further information on this role, the employee benefits and work of the Environment Agency, please download the candidate pack.
If you have any questions please contact the hiring managers: Toni.Webster@environment-agency.gov.uk
Focuses on Customers and Partners
Tell me about a time you helped someone solve a problem. What did you do?
Builds and Sustains Relationships
How do you approach building relationships with new colleagues or team members?
Achieves Results
Tell me about a time when you had to adjust your plans due to unexpected changes. What did you do?
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the  Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.