Job Description

Chemist

Department: Laboratory

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: County Durham

Compensation: £28,000 - £32,000 / year

Chemtech Environmental
Chemist, Senior Chemist or Analyst.

Who we are
At Chemtech Environmental, we like to think of ourselves as an extension of your team — the kind that adds value without adding hassle (and yes, the sample containers are free). We keep things simple, personal and practical, offering tailored solutions and responsive support through our network of regional laboratories. With years of industry experience behind us, we help clients get the answers they need, make smart decisions and keep projects moving — all while sweating the small stuff so they don’t have to.

Part of the Celnor Group
Celnor Group is a UK-based environmental services group operating across the Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) landscape. With a growing portfolio of specialist businesses, Celnor provides essential services that protect people, property and the environment.
While each business retains its own identity, culture and technical specialism, all are supported by a central group function that invests in people, systems and long-term sustainable growth.

Job details
This role helps keep the lab humming along nicely by planning work efficiently and putting analytical instruments and techniques to good use. It’s all about making sure samples get the right treatment, results are delivered on time, and the lab keeps running like a well-oiled (and well-labelled) machine. Along the way, you’ll lend a hand to laboratory technicians and coordinators whenever needed — because in a busy lab, teamwork isn’t optional, it’s essential.

What you will do

• Keep the lab wheels turning by planning work smartly and making the most of our analytical instruments and scientific know-how.
• Support, supervise and mentor technicians and junior staff — leading by example and helping the next generation of lab legends find their footing.
• Work closely with other departments while keeping organisation sharp, communication clear and the lab tidy enough to actually find things.
• Keep the lab stocked and ready for action by monitoring supplies, chatting with suppliers and placing orders before anyone has to panic about running out.
• Prep samples, run analyses and keep worklists in check so results are accurate, reliable and delivered on time.
• Champion quality by carrying out daily checks, keeping an eye on AQC and digging into NWRs or anomalies when things look a little suspicious.
• Troubleshoot, maintain and calibrate equipment while supporting training, method development and the constant quest to make things work even better.

Who you are

• A practical, hands-on scientist who enjoys getting stuck into the detail but can still see the bigger picture.
• Someone who keeps calm when the lab gets busy and can juggle priorities without dropping the (sample) ball.
• A natural team player who’s happy to share knowledge, support colleagues and help junior staff grow in confidence.
• Organised, proactive and the kind of person who notices when something needs fixing before it becomes a problem.
• Comfortable working with analytical instrumentation and scientific methods — and curious enough to keep improving them.
• Quality-minded, with a good eye for detail and a healthy suspicion of results that look a little too perfect.
• Above all, someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced lab environment where teamwork, curiosity and a sense of humour go a long way.

Join us
You’ll be joining a business where your contribution matters and where professionalism, integrity and teamwork are genuinely valued. As part of the wider Celnor Group, you’ll benefit from group-wide investment, shared expertise and opportunities to develop your career as the organisation continues to grow.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays — and it increases the longer you stick around.
• Annual bonus (2.5%) linked to both your performance and the company’s success — win together, celebrate together.
• Free on-site parking, because the only thing you should be hunting for at work is results, not a parking space.
• Health and wellbeing programme to help keep both mind and body in good working order.
• Life insurance (2x salary) for a little extra peace of mind.
• Referral bonus of £1,000 if you bring great people into the team.
• Sick pay and enhanced maternity & paternity pay to support you when life happens.
• Christmas shutdown, giving you proper time to switch off, relax and enjoy the festive season.

Important Information
Celnor Group and its businesses manage recruitment directly. We do not require agency support for this role and will only engage with recruitment partners from our preferred supplier list where necessary.
We may use technology, including AI-enabled tools, to support parts of the recruitment process. AI is not used for candidate screening, scoring or hiring decisions. All hiring decisions are made by people, for people. Our recruitment systems are ISO 42001 accredited, reflecting our commitment to ethical, transparent and responsible use of technology.