Salary - £26,206 - £27,808
Permanent
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.
Are you fascinated by life sciences or chemistry and eager to get hands-on experience in a lab? Do you care about the environment and want to use your skills to contribute to meaningful research?
We have an exciting opportunity for an entry-level Laboratory Assistant to join our Analytical Chemistry Group in Lancaster. This is a unique opportunity to analyse inorganic, organic and stable isotope analytes in a wide range of environmental samples. Contributing to the understanding of a multitude of environmental questions.
You’ll be working in world-class laboratories (accredited to ISO17025:2017), using cutting-edge instruments and contributing to the delivery of high-quality chemistry data, analysis, and results for a wide range of science areas.
You will be joining an established, diverse, and busy team where you will be responsible for sample preparation, operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of a pool of analytical instruments. This role would suit someone who has excellent attention to detail and enjoys working in a methodical manner, within a controlled environment.
Your main responsibilities will include:
1. Preparing materials, equipment, and resources for laboratory analyses
2. Sample management and preparation (drying, weighing, grinding), sample extraction and clean up
3. Operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory instruments used in the analysis of alkalinity, pH, TC and TN, etc.
4. Procurement - purchasing general equipment and reagents
5. Uploading data into Microsoft Excel, plotting, and calculating results
6. General laboratory housekeeping duties including: safe storage of chemicals, maintaining a safe and tidy laboratory environment, washing and cleaning of instruments, ensuring the supply of consumable items, stock rotation, waste disposal
7. Adherence to COSHH and Risk Assessment guidelines
For the role of Laboratory Assistant, we’re looking for somebody who has:
8. A keen interest in chemistry and life sciences
9. Previous experience working in a busy laboratory, preparing and managing samples
10. The ability to work independently, with good time management skills
11. Excellent communication skills and attention to detail
12. A team-oriented approach and be able work collaboratively with others
13. Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel
14. Knowledge of health and safety best practice within a laboratory environment, or able to follow health and safety protocols
In return we are fully committed to the development of our employees which is why you will be given full support with your ongoing learning and development and receive comprehensive training and full PPE.
You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that’s committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.