Overview / Introduction
An exciting opportunity for a driven, organised and pragmatic analytical chemist to progress a career in the energy sector with a rapidly expanding company providing trace contaminant analysis services. The role suits a chemist with significant experience (3+ years not including academic studies) of a working laboratory including a strong foundation in good laboratory practices and proven adherence to quality systems. A good knowledge of organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry also desired but not essential.
About the Role
Qa3is currently recruiting for a Senior Analytical Chemist to join the team in a laboratory-based role supporting the company's core on-site services. The role is advertised as a part-time position (minimum 25 hours), however, for the right candidate, a full-time position would be considered. The exact hours and days of the week worked is negotiable with the intention of allowing experienced applicants with other commitments such as parental care or carer duties to also be able to apply and continue to progress in their career.
Qa3's core service focuses on the provision of on-site specialist analytical testing to the energy sector. Historically, off-site laboratory-based work has been to support this core service. The company has experienced rapid growth in the last few years and likewise, there has been major increase in the demand for laboratory-based services.
Historically, all laboratory work has been conducted by on-site chemists whilst not on deployment; however, the volume of work is now such that a dedicated laboratory-based team member is required.
The role is based at the Qa3 laboratories in Woodmancott, Winchester. The nature of the work is extremely varied and will often involve method development and research work. As the successful candidate will be required to and expected to immediately begin working in the laboratory, significant previous laboratory experience is essential and should comprise the following (as a minimum):
· General laboratory practices (preparation of stock solutions, use of fume cupboards, chemical handling etc). Experience of adherence to quality systems
· Use of pipettes, balances, ovens and other general laboratory apparatus
· Understanding around the statistics of analytical measurements (accuracy, precision, uncertainty etc)
· A robust understanding of laboratory-based health and safety considerations (e.g. SDS, COSHH, Risk Assessments)
All instrument specific training will be provided by Qa3, allowing the successful candidate to expand their knowledge base rapidly, providing them with an enviable and niche skill set; however, experience in all or some of the following techniques would be desirable:
· ICP-OES
· CVAAS
· GC-SCD – (sulphur chemiluminescence detection)
· UV Spectrometry
· Microwave Digestion and Hotplate Digestion
· XRF
· Hygrometry
· Alpha Spectrometry
· Karl Fischer Titrations
· Potentiometric Titrations
· Colorimetry
· Gravimetry
Key Activities:
· General day-to-day running and maintaining of the Qa3 analytical laboratory
· Carry out laboratory-based analytical testing whilst maintaining the highest level of safety, quality and integrity
· Carry out bespoke and specialist analysis of hydrocarbon fluids, waters and other petrochemical products
· Produce both interim data reports and detailed, technical, final reports for submission to client
· Being involved in project management; from initial discussion with clients, through to implementation of the laboratory work activities, reporting and close out meetings
· Liaise with clients to ensure work scope is completed; meeting or exceeding expectations and requirements
· Work with other members of the team to develop current and new analytical techniques
· Take an active role in reviewing methods and procedures
You will be responsible for:
· Certain safety aspects within the laboratory; risk assessments, SDS, COSHH assessments
· Implementing and upkeeping applicable quality systems
· Maintaining the highest level of laboratory cleanliness
· Inventorying, cataloguing and restocking of laboratory equipment and consumables
· Ensuring calibration and servicing of all laboratory-based equipment is kept up to date
The successful candidate MUST have the following attributes:
· Be hands on and practical, being able to think intuitively as part of a team and on their own
· Be analytically minded
· Be driven by quality and the desire to perform to the best of their ability and maintain the highest level of standards
· Be able to work with limited / no supervision and be self-motivated including excellent time management abilities
· Be amiable and an excellent communicator (the successful candidate will be working closely with the on-site chemists often involved in the same projects)
· An understanding of commercial business structures and an appreciation of maintaining high company standards, promoting the company brand and adherence to company expectations
· Be safety conscious
· Be highly organised and confident in their abilities in the laboratory with a high attention to detail
The successful candidate MUST have the following:
· Minimum of 3 years laboratory experience (not including academic years)
· Ideally a degree in a Scientific Discipline (BSc / MSc), preferably chemistry (though significant laboratory experience alone would be considered)
· Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Excel
· Excellent technical writing skills
· Valid, full UK driving licence
Benefits
· Join a small (but growing) passionate team who are well respected in their industry
· Competitive pay
· Flexible working hours
· Pension plan
· 20 days holiday (pro rata), (excluding bank holidays), rising by one day per year for every full year completed over the first five years
· Private medical cover (at next renewal)
· Life cover insurance starting after successful completion of probationary period
· Potential for profit related bonuses
· Immediate exposure to leading energy majors and other high-profile clients
About Qa3
Qa3 commenced operation in 2011. The company specialises in the delivery of both on-site and off-site chemical analysis, technical advice and consultancy services to the oil, gas, petrochemical and wider energy sector, both onshore and offshore throughout the world.
Today, Qa3 have a dedicated group of on-site chemists who are deployed across the globe on specialist on-site projects. From determination of initial physical properties of hydrocarbon fluids during well testing, to trace component mapping across an entire production, refining or chemical processing facility. To support the on-site projects, the Qa3 laboratory was initially designed primarily as a servicing and calibration hub; however, the requirement for more specialist laboratory-based analysis has seen the laboratory undergo significant expansion becoming a fully operational analytical laboratory applying new, novel analytical techniques.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £28,500.00-£34,500.00 per year
Expected hours: 25 – 40 per week
Benefits:
* Casual dress
* Company pension
* Flexitime
* Free parking
* Life insurance
* On-site parking
* Private medical insurance
* Profit sharing
* Relocation assistance
* Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Winchester SO21 3BN: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
* Laboratory: 2 years (required)
Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 07/09/2025
Reference ID: Qa3LP020
Expected start date: 01/10/2025