Chemistry Laboratory Assistant

Based in Lancaster

The post will be within the Centralised Analytical Chemistry team based at CEH's Lancaster site. The chemists at Lancaster provide analytical expertise to support the environmental research community.  The analytical work arises mainly from within CEH internally or externally funded projects. The majority of samples analysed are atmospheric filters, soil, vegetation, animal material or waters, each of which are analysed for up to 50 determinants. Samples are generated by projects looking at the impacts of man on the environment.

Main duties

You will support more senior graded analysts by undertaking the following:

• booking in samples that are brought into the laboratory for analysis
• day to day routine tasks such as stocks maintenance and general laboratory housekeeping duties
• sample preparation (drying, weighing, digestion and extraction) of a wide range of samples, such as water, soil, plant and animal tissues
• conduct some simple laboratory measurements on samples.

You will need to be flexible as you will support staff from all four specialist teams (organics, nutrients, metals and stable isotopes).

Skills required

Some knowledge of chemistry and experience working in a lab is desirable, although appropriate training will be provided including in the quality system and laboratory safety.

You will need to be methodical, numerate and have good basic IT skills, such as in Microsoft packages including Word and Excel.  You must be reliable and conscientious, able to work to and meet deadlines, work as part of a team and be flexible in your approach to tasks.  You will be expected to work to the quality standards demanded of our laboratory accreditation scheme (ISO 17025).  An important part of the job will be to maintain communications with team colleagues and senior staff and good oral and written communication skills are essential.

Applications are handled by the UK Shared Business Services. To apply, please visit their job board at http://www.topcareer.jobs/ searching for IRC141433.

Salary: £15,978 – £19,350
Band: 8
Contract Type: Open-ended (permanent)
Hours:  Full Time (37 hours)
Closing Date: 29 May 2014
Interview Date: 10 July 2014
Reference: IRC141433