Technical Specialist – Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time of Flight - 19597

1
Yorkshire and the Humber
Leeds
LEEDS NLS Olympia House, Gelderd Road, Leeds, LS12 6DD
Staff Grade 5
Permanent
Full Time
Analytical
£36,389
If Liquid Chromatography Quadruple Time of Flight (LC-Q/TOF) Mass Spectrometry is your thing and you want to shape the future of Environmental Organic Chemistry, then we really want to hear from you.
We’re looking for a Laboratory Technical Specialist who can:-:
• Promote health, safety and wellbeing ensuring the provision of safe working practices
• Work with customers to identify, develop and evolve methodology
• Support and direct the development of staff to deliver results and build resilience
• Seek opportunities to improve efficiencies and innovations
• Promote the work to a wider audience
You’ll be the technical lead for an exciting, newly funded project which will deliver non-target screening methodology for the analysis of organic environmental pollutants by LC-Q/TOF.
Key Responsibilities:
• Working alongside the existing Organic Chemistry team you’ll lead on setting up and configuring our newly purchased instrument.
• Extraction of a range of biota and other environmental materials for target and non-target analysis.
• Use of a range of databases, such as Normal Digital Sample Freezing Platform, to produce reports of the presence of pollutants.
• Work with end users of the data – which will form part of the Environment Agency’s Priority Early Warning System.
You’ll work with a team in Leeds alongside approximately 35 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 websites

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency/about
https://natlabs.co.uk/
Through experience, you will ideally be able to demonstrate the following:
• Educated to at least degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject.
• Significant experience of developing LCQTOF methodology
• Experienced in preparation and challenges of complex matrices
• Ideally will have worked at a senior scientific level within a laboratory of academic institution
• Excellent knowledge of laboratory quality systems, UKAS accreditation would be advantageous but not essential.
• A strong communicator, experienced at sharing and explaining your work to a wide audience of technical and non-technical colleagues and customers.

Critical to the role is your ability to achieve results using LCQTOF through decision making, problem solving and development of colleagues.
You’ll be supported by and 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.
If you require any additional information, please contact Steve Moss on steve.moss@environment-agency.gov.uk

30/11/2021, 23:55 hours

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

*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.
Achieves Results
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 LC-Q/TOF.

*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.
Develops People
Tell us about a time when you have had to pass on your knowledge of LC-Q/TOF to others or developed new operators.

*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.
Programme and Project Management
Tell us about a time when you have carried out work using LC-Q/TOF as part of a structured project with scrutiny from customers who were funding your work.

*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.
Works in Teams
Tell us about a time when you have worked as part of a team to deliver a project where you were the operator of a LC-Q/TOF.

*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.
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Tell us about a time when you had to solve problems to deliver a project where you were the operator of an LC-Q/TOF.

*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.
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.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.