Senior Assistant Scientist - Microbiology and Molecular Biology - 29647
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Senior Assistant Scientist - Microbiology and Molecular Biology - 29647
Senior Assistant Scientist - Microbiology and Molecular Biology - 29647
Number of jobs available
2
Region
South West
City/Town
Exeter
Grade
Staff Grade 3
Post Type
Permanent
Role Type
Analytical, Environment & Sustainability, Health and Safety, Investigation, Operational Delivery, Operational Research, Quality, Science
Working Pattern
Full Time
Salary Minimum
£27,245
Closing Date:
30/10/2024, 23:55 hours
Job description attachment 1
Candidate pack
Security checks level
Basic Check
Job description
Do you want to work for an organisation that values difference and includes everyone?
Then the Environment Agency is the organisation for you.
We are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don't just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment.
We recognise people with protected characteristics may experience difficulties in the job market. We are fully committed to being an inclusive, equal-opportunities employer, with a diverse workforce, attracting applications from under-represented groups, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic people, people with a disability, with gender diverse identities and varying socio-economic backgrounds.
The Environment Agency's Monitoring Laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC17025 and include 3 sites across the country - Leeds, Brampton and Starcross. This role is based at the Monitoring Laboratories' Starcross site, specialises in freshwater, saline and effluent analysis, delivering core analytical work in parallel with investigational/project work for the Environment Agency and for other government and commercial customers.
In this role you will:
• support the analytical work of less experienced staff
• play a key role in the training and development of the team, ensuring that work is carried out to defined quality standards
• support senior staff by providing feedback to shape the team's development
• enjoy working as part of a team to deliver organisational goals
• be comfortable working in a busy lab environment, delivering at pace and communicating effectively within a team.
• assist with the maintenance of our internal quality-systems, including maintaining documentation, monitor Bias/RSD performance of our methods and carry out non-conforming-work investigations in line with our ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
• actively promote health, safety and wellbeing ensuring provision of safe working practices in line with Environment Agency guidance.
The team
You will be part of the Monitoring Laboratories that provide analytical services to the Environment Agency (EA) and external customers. Based at Starcross, the team comprises 22 staff and is responsible for a wide range of analytical methods that are essential in supporting the Environment Agency's aims and objectives.
This position is laboratory-based and travel is not required. There would be opportunities to volunteer for work related conferences or outcome days.
Experience/skills required
You must:
• have experience of standard microbiological and/or molecular biological techniques
• be able to demonstrate your ability to work cooperatively with team members to achieve results.
• be an effective communicator, able to provide training and constructive feedback.
You will also need to demonstrate the key capabilities as defined in the job profile.
You will be able to demonstrate your commitment to continuous professional development, for example by being, working towards, or willing to work towards becoming, a Registered Scientist with the Institute of Science and Technology (or similar).
Contact and additional information
Our flexible working helps supports a healthy work/life balance, accommodating personal commitments. This role is for a 37 hours week, and 2 working patterns available either Sunday to Thursday or Tuesday to Saturday.
Interviews will be held on the week commencing 18th November 2024. With your consent, you may be held on a reserve list for future vacancies within the next 6 months.
For your application, please refer to the EA-Capability-dictionary and use the Situation-Task-Action-Result (STAR) format to answer the competence questions. More information is in the attached candidate pack.
If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact:
• Sergio Perez: 02030251984 or sergio.perezcordero1@environment-agency.gov.uk
• Louise Pearce: 02030250055 or louise.pearce@environment-agency.gov.uk
Competence 1
Communicates Effectively
Description
Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately, and persuasively through speech and writing.
Can you describe your approach to communicating technical information with a non-specialist audience? Please provide a specific example of where you have demonstrated this capability.
Competence 2
Works in Teams
Description
Works co-operatively as part of a team to achieve common goals.
Please provide an example of where you have worked in a team to deliver a specific piece of work. What were the key elements that ensured it was successful?
Competence 3
Scientific Knowledge
Description
Applies scientific knowledge (various disciplines, depending on team role) to provide sound, science-based evidence to our internal and external customers.
Please outline how you would apply your experience to help with laboratory testing for regulatory water quality assessments.
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.