About the job

Job summary

Do you have good analytical chemistry skills and interested in working for an organisation focussed on the assessment and protection of the Scottish marine environment and the people it supports?

If you do, you may be interested in joining our group of chemists actively involved in the Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystems (CCBE) work area of the Scottish Government Marine Directorate Science, Evidence, Data and Digital (SEDD) portfolio.

The CCBE work area provides advice and undertakes monitoring of the marine environment, including the measurement of contaminant concentrations in sediment and biota (fish and shellfish), measures the effects of contaminant exposure upon wildlife, and undertakes assessments of environmental status.

The main role of the Assistant Chemist post is to undertake particle size analysis (PSA) of sediment samples in support of the Marine Directorate priority work areas, such as environmental assessments for the Clean Seas National Performance Indicator, UK Marine Strategy (UK MS) and OSPAR. The results of PSA analyses are reported yearly alongside contaminant data to the UK Marine Environment Monitoring and Assessment National (MERMAN) database.

You will mainly be involved in the collection, logging and preparation of collected sediment samples for PSA, a method accredited by the UK accreditation service which follows ISO 17025 standards. You will also be involved in the preparation of day-to-day reagents and standards and will have the opportunity to support other chemical analyses such as Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis of sediment samples and the determination of organic contaminants in both sediment and biota samples.

This role will give you the opportunity to contribute to the organisation and participate in the Clean Seas Environment Programme (CSEMP) winter sampling cruises where sediment and biota samples are collected every year for a range of analyses (including PSA).  

This is an 18-month Fixed Term Appointment.

Job description

• Prepare reagents, standards and QC samples for various chemistry accredited analyses
• Undertake the preparation and particle size analysis (PSA) of sediment samples
• Undertake the routine maintenance of the PSA analyser as required, carry out troubleshooting under supervision of the marine chemist
• Assist colleagues when required in other analytical methods such as Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis in sediment and the determination of a number of organic contaminants in both sediment and biota
• Ensure stock of laboratory consumables is maintained
• Follow standard operating procedures and quality control procedures ensuring all analyses meet the requirements of ISO 17025 accreditation standards
• Participate in the timely calibration of laboratory equipment and in the laboratory glassware cleaning process
• Contribute to the annual review of Control Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) as well as Risk Assessments for the contaminant analyses
• Contribute to the organisation of the Clean Seas Environment Monitoring Programme (CSEMP) winter sampling cruises

Person specification

1. Experience working in an analytical laboratory environment, gained through studies or in a previous role.
2. Ability to work independently and as part of a team, planning and organising work to meet agreed deadlines.
3. An ability to follow written and verbal instructions and work accurately.
4. Current working knowledge of Word and Excel.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,513, Scottish Government contributes £7,428 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Sift and Interview dates TBC
Please apply using the link provided

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.