Job Description

Salary - £38,939 to £41,321
Permanent
Full-time or part-time >0.8FTE
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.

We have an exciting opportunity for anInorganic Research Chemistto join ourAnalytical Chemistry team in Lancaster, within the acclaimedEnvironmental Pressures and Responses Group This multidisciplinary team is at the forefront of understanding how pollution, land-use change, and climate pressures affect ecosystems. Working acrossair, land, and water, we generate high-quality evidence that directly informs action on environmental change.

We areseekinga drivenand experienced analytical Chemistwith strongexpertisein inorganic analysis, particularlymetal analyses, who is motivated by both scientific excellence and real-world impact. In this role, you will work in close collaboration with colleagues across UKCEH and the wider scientific community, helping toidentifyemerging research challenges and shaping compelling ideas that attract funding. For individuals who enjoy translating scientific insight into funded research and innovative analytical capability, this is an especially rewarding opportunity.

You will thrive in this role if you areideas-driven, collaborative, and proactive, with a genuine curiosity for solving complex scientific problems. Comfortable working across multiple projects, you will bringa high levelof accuracy, attention to detail, and personal ownership, alongside the creativity to develop and implement novel analytical approaches. Innovation is actively encouraged, and your contributions will directly influence the direction and capability of the team.

We are particularly keen to hear from chemists who are excited by thefunding and partnership-building aspects of research You will enjoy seeking out opportunities for collaboration, developing research ideas, writing grant applications, and responding to tenders. Whether through advancing laboratory methodologies, building on existing professional networks, or generating fundable ideas rooted in PhD-level or applied research, you will beresourceful, investigative, and motivated to generate income and impact

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Leading the development of analytical methodsarising from new scientific and funding opportunities, including method validation and the preparation of robust Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Contributing to, and leading whereappropriate, high-impact scientific outputs, providing analytical data and methodological content for peer-reviewed publications, customer reports, presentations, and book or book chapters.

• Ensuring the quality and integrity of analytical data, including oversight of data generation whererequired

• Training, mentoring, and supervising laboratory staff, supporting skills development andmaintaininghigh technical standards across the team.

• Managing laboratory operations, including responsibility for the safe use of facilities, compliance with COSHH, and day-to-day lab management.

• Working within the laboratory quality system and ISO 17025, including managing inorganic non-conforming work investigations and undertaking internal audits across the group.

• Liaising directly with instrument manufacturers, contributing to the evaluation andselectionof new analytical instrumentation.

• Performing routine analyses whenrequired, ensuring continuity and resilience of laboratory capability.

• As the role develops, there may beopportunities to takeon linemanagement responsibilities
  

In this role, you will join a well-established team working in world-class laboratories, equipped withcutting-edgeanalytical instrumentation, advanced methodologies, and comprehensive sample preparation facilities. You will contribute to the delivery of high-quality, innovative analytical data, including work accredited to UKAS ISO 17025:2017, supporting a wide range of impactful projects. The Lancaster laboratories have achieved the highest certification (Gold) under the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF), the world’s largest green laboratory certification scheme.

This is an opportunity for someone who wants tohelp shape the future of analytical chemistry within environmental science,strengthening capability, fostering collaboration, and contributing to the long-term sustainability and influence of the team.

For the role ofResearch Chemist,we’relooking for somebody who has:

• A PhD in Environmental Chemistry and/orA MSc withat least 5 years’ experience in anaccredited laboratory

• A strong understanding of fundamental environmental chemistry principles,particularly as they relate to the behaviour and analysis of metals

• Proven experience in environmental chemical analyseswithworking knowledge of ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and XRF techniques(inclmethod development and optimisation)

• Specialist knowledge of method development for metals analysis in niche matrices

• Establishedtrack recordof publishing in peer-reviewed journals and delivering impactful presentations at scientific conferences

• Demonstrable success in securing research funding through competitive bids (highly desirable, not essential)

You’llbe joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institutethat’scommitted to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.

Working for UKCEH is rewarding

We appreciate the continuous dedication and contributions of our staff, which is why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes financial incentives and wellbeing-orientedperks, such as:

• 27 days annual leave (rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service) plus 3 days for Christmas closure

• 10% employer pension contribution 

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (role dependant)

• Peer reward and recognition scheme

• Dental insurance, gym/fitness discounts, retail discount portal

• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave  

• 24-hour, 365-day support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues and much more... 

How to Apply

If this opportunity aligns with your career aspirations, we would be pleased to receive your application.Pleasesubmityour CV together with a short Supporting Statementof 450–600 words, structured in response to the three questions below. (*Please note that cover letters will not be accepted and will not be considered as part of the application process).

1. Funding and bids: Describe a funding opportunity youidentifiedor pursued, why it was prioritised, and how you developed a competitive proposal.

2. Analytical innovation: Give an example of developing or adapting an inorganic analytical approach. What challenges did you face, how were they overcome, and what was the outcome?

3. Networking and communication: Describe effective networking practices you use to support collaboration, and how you have shared your work with the scientific community or stakeholders.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At UKCEH, we are committed to creating an inclusive andequitableworkplace where everyonehas the opportunity tothrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and circumstances. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from neurodivergent candidates and people with disabilities, andwe’rehappy to provide adjustments or support at any stage of the recruitment process - just let us know. Ifyou’reexcited about this role but your experiencedoesn’talign perfectly with every requirement,we’dlove to hear from you anyway. You may be just the right fit for this role or another within our wider team.

Please note:Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this roleand this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, pleaseindicatethis in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.