Senior Assistant Scientist - 33569

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Senior Assistant Scientist - 33569

Senior Assistant Scientist - 33569

Number of jobs available

1

Region

Yorkshire and the Humber

City/Town

Leeds

Building/Site

DEFRA GRP EA OLYMPIA HOUSE LABORATORY, LS12 6DD

Grade

Staff Grade 3

Post Type

Permanent

Role Type

Analytical, Science

Working Pattern

Full Time

Salary Minimum

£29,751

Closing Date:

12/04/2026, 23:55 hours

Job description attachment 1

Candidate pack

Security checks level

Basic Check

Job description

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.

If you have experience of analytical chemistry within a laboratory setting and a passion for the natural environment this is an exciting opportunity for you. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join the team based at the Leeds laboratory. You will be directly contributing to the Environment Agency's core responsibilities whilst working in a small team carrying out analysis.

Your main duties will include:
• Working within and supporting a team in delivering a high-quality analytical service to defined time, cost and quality targets.
• Working alongside our scientists to improve existing methods and develop new ones when required.
• Analysing samples using a variety of extraction techniques and state of the art instrumentation.
• Identifying root causes and rectifying technical issues using your knowledge and problem-solving skills.
• Ensuring Health and Safety procedures are adhered to at all times.
• The opportunity to take part in a pollution incident rota.
• Ensuring all work meets the high-quality standards expected of an ISO17025 accredited laboratory.

This role will be on a Monday to Friday work pattern. All EA employees are expected to participate in incident response and will receive relevant training and support to identify an appropriate role which suits their personal circumstances.

The team

You'll be working within a small team alongside approximately 50 other Analytical staff and 8 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 look at our website.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency/about

Experience/skills required

Essential:

• Experience of working in an analytical laboratory, focussed on Organic chemistry with a good knowledge of analytical techniques and instrumentation.
• Good communication skills are essential to allow you to work closely with your team and other teams on site.
• Able to work to tight deadlines and have an ability to prioritise workload, while adhering to strict quality criteria.
• Problem solving skills, preferably in a lab environment.
• A team player who enjoys helping others and building and sustaining relationships
• Experience of working within a quality standard or within a UKAS accredited chemistry laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 or equivalent.

  Desirable:

• Experience of training others.
• Educated to at least degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject.

You will need to demonstrate the key capabilities as defined in the job profile. We encourage you to refer to the EA Capability dictionary to assist you with your application.

Contact and additional information

The role will be based at the laboratory in Leeds, it is a non-hybrid role and there will be no travel requirements.

You'll be welcomed into the team and given the training and support you need to succeed in your role. All EA employees are expected to participate in incident response and will receive relevant training. We support flexible working hours and practices to help strike a good balance between work and personal life. You'll have access to a Local Government Pension scheme as well as a host of other benefits.

For further information, please download the candidate pack. Please note, we will aim to hold interviews on site within 4 weeks of the advert closing date.
If you have any questions contact peter.maddison@environment-agency.gov.uk

Competence 1

Achieves Results

Description

Give a detailed example where you have had to deliver multiple pieces of work with conflicting deadlines. How did you plan and prioritise the different tasks, deal with any unforeseen issues and ensure deadlines were met, whilst ensuring quality was not compromised.

Competence 2

Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

Description

As part of your role, you will be required to find and resolve technical problems with scientific instrumentation in an optimal and timely manner. Tell us of a time you have identified a technical problem and describe the processes you followed and information you required to diagnose the root cause.

Competence 3

Builds and Sustains Relationships

Description

Please describe a time when you built effective relationships at work, describe the different techniques and communication styles you used. How did you handle any difficult behaviours or moments of tension to achieve a positive outcome for both yourself and the wider team.

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 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 . Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.