About the job

Job summary

Do you have good analytical chemistry skills and are 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 key role of this post is to undertake the extraction of sediment and biota for contaminants, particularly polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in support of Marine Directorate priority work areas such as environmental assessments for the Clean Seas National Performance Indicator, UK Marine Strategy (UK MS) and OSPAR.

This involves collection, logging, and preparation of environmental samples for contaminant analyses as well as the running and troubleshooting of analytical instrumentation such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). All chemical analyses are accredited by the UK accreditation service and work practices are therefore to ISO 17025 standards.

The post also contributes actively to the development of methods of analysis for various contaminants of emerging concern. You will be given the opportunity to participate in research cruises and onshore environmental sampling and surveys.

Please note this is an 18-month Fixed Term Appointment with no possibility for extension.

Information about the Team

The chemistry analytical work is part of the Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystems (CCBE) work area of the Science, Evidence, Data and Digital (SEDD) portfolio and sits within the Scottish Government Marine Directorate. The CCBE work area provides advice and undertakes monitoring of the marine environment, including the measurement of contaminant concentrations in sediment, biota (fish and shellfish) and water, of the effects of contaminant exposure upon wildlife, and undertakes assessments of environmental status. CCBE is also responsible for the provision of data in support of the Marine Directorate’s response to acute pollution incidents and spills.

Job description

• Undertake the extraction of environmental samples for contaminants (PCBs and PBDEs).
• Participate in the development of new methods of analysis for contaminants of emerging concern.
• Follow standard operating procedures and quality control procedures ensuring all analyses meets the requirements of ISO 17025 accreditation standards.
• Ensure that lab equipment is calibrated on time and calibration records are updated accordingly on the laboratory’s Quality Management System.
• Participate in the annual review and updates of Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and Risk Assessments.
• Help with the organisation of the Clean Seas Environment Monitoring Programme (CSEMP) winter sampling cruises.
• Participate (not compulsory) in sampling (onshore and at sea).

Person specification

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry preferably (or related science) with good laboratory skills.

Essential Criteria

1. Good communication skills (written and verbal) and the ability to work independently and as part of a team, planning and organising work to meet agreed deadlines
2. Good laboratory skills gained whilst undertaking chemical analysis, including an ability to follow standard operating procedures and quality control procedures.
3. Good level of numeracy with experience of using statistical analyses to understand and interpret datasets.
4. Knowledge of using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point or equivalent.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,140, Scottish Government contributes £8,407 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.