Job Description

The Role:

Undertake the analysis of materials used in consumer products inclusive of (but limited to) leathers, textiles, polymers, metal hardware, jewellery, etc., for a wide range of restricted substances at low concentrations, according to international test methods. This will involve using various solvent extraction and matrix clean-up procedures, to prepare the test samples, followed by their analysis using advanced analytical laboratory instrumentation.  

Main Duties:

• Preparing liquid extracts from the samples using standardised solvent extraction and solid-phase extraction (SPE) clean-up procedures.
• Identifying and quantifying the specific restricted substances in the sample extracts using advanced analytical instrumentation such as, gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy and electron capture (GC-MS and GC-ECD), liquid chromatography (HPLC, LC-MS, LC-DAD), ion chromatography (IC), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and UV-visible spectrophotometry.
• Processing the raw analytical data and maintaining analytical quality control charts.
• Maintaining instrumentation and a clean and tidy laboratory.
• Support the quality team within the laboratory functions, to maintain and add to the laboratory’s ISO 17025 accreditation including (but not limited) to: method validation, calibrations, controlled document reviews etc.
• Support sample preparation as needed with the deconstruction of product into individual components as well as accurately weighing and labelling for traceability, to enable testing to commence.
• Performing any other reasonable duties to assist the analytical testing team and the business.

Qualifications

What We Are Looking For:

• Degree educated in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline.
• Proven experience in inorganic chemistry and ICP-MS is desirable. 
• Practical experience in the operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of analytical equipment including but not limited to: ICP-MS, GC-MS, HPLC, etc.
• Accountability and responsibility. 
• Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with colleagues.
• Positive can-do attitude with a sense of urgency, in a fast-paced environment reflecting the high sample volume of this market-leading commercial laboratory.
• Good attention to detail.
• Adherence to the highest quality standards of precision, accuracy, and record keeping for maintaining our UKAS accreditation for a wide range of methods.
• Ability to use initiative, multi-task and plan work effectively to meet strict deadlines.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office software and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
• A flexible approach to working additional hours when required.

Additional Information

Benefits: Competitive Salary, Life Assurance 4 x salary, Private Medical Insurance, Healthcash Plan, Income Protection, Group Pension Scheme (match contribution of up to 5 %), Option to buy up to 5 day holiday a year, Perkbox (access to discounts), Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 confidential support, Free Parking, World-wide career opportunities.

This role is lab based - Monday to Friday - 37.5 hours per week. Core hours are 8.45 am to 5.00 pm.  The company operates a flexitime system allowing you to vary your contractual start and finish times by 30 minutes, providing your daily contractual hours are worked each day.