The role
We are looking for a dedicated Scientist to join our laboratory team at Swansea University, specialising in the analysis of routine aqueous, sediment, and biota samples for metals. This is a hands-on role within the Inorganics and Metals team, where you'll play a key part in developing and implementing new analytical methods and instrumentation.
You'll be at the heart of cutting-edge environmental research, working in a collaborative, forward-thinking setting that values precision, innovation, and continuous improvement. Along side your technical responsibilities, you will provide secondary-line supervisory support, guiding and mentoring team members while ensuring high standards of quality and efficiency across the lab.
If you're passionate about environmental science and eager to make a meaningful impact through your work, we'd love to hear from you.
Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams
Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.
About us
Natural Resources Wales Analytical Services is a specialist laboratory based within Swansea University, dedicated to supporting the environmental mission of Natural Resources Wales. We play a vital role in safeguarding Wales' natural environment through high-quality scientific analysis, monitoring, and pollution response.
Our laboratory provides analytical services across the entire organisation, delivering accurate and timely data that informs decision-making and helps protect our land, air, and water. We are proud to be at the forefront of environmental science, combining technical expertise with a strong commitment to sustainability and public service.
The laboratory is structured into three key areas:
Inorganics/Metals/WQS
Organics
Operational Support
This role sits within the Inorganics/Metals/WQS team, where we focus on analysing water quality and inorganic contaminants to ensure compliance with environmental standards and to support pollution investigations. Our work is both challenging and rewarding, offering the opportunity to contribute directly to the protection of Wales' natural resources.
Joining our team means becoming part of a collaborative, purpose-driven environment where scientific rigour meets real-world impact. If you're passionate about environmental science and want to make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.
What you will do
Daily monitoring of the sample workload within the team and to supervise more junior staff, equipment and materials.
Ensure maintenance of a safe working environment with a high quality analytical service, that meets all targets as defined by time, cost and quality.
Maintain appropriate specialised knowledge in state-of-the-art equipment, technology and methodology in the section to advise and support staff and resolve issues.
Ensure that Evidence Sample procedures are followed, provide analytical reports and documentation for prosecutions, and provide expert witness evidence as required.
Have a thorough understanding of the laboratory's Quality Management System and ensure that quality control procedures within the service are complied with. Review method quality performance and report issues to the team manager.
Provide second-line supervision of technical staff and undertake staff training and development.
To be aware of and comply with the laboratory's health and safety policies.
To participate in duty rotas and respond to call out to ensure the Laboratory's pollution response service is maintained.
Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post
Be committed to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post
Be committed to your own development through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.
Required to take part in incident response activities
Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills
In your application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using the STAR method .
Experience and knowledge are as important as qualifications for this role however entry level would be a science-based degree or equivalent, preferably in Chemistry.
Technically experienced in the operation and maintenance of modern instrumentation and complex analytical methods run on them.
Previous second-line supervisory experience in an ISO:17025 accredited analytical laboratory.
Demonstrable experience in the delivery of method development projects utilising recognised industry standards such as PRINCE2.
The ability to work collaboratively with other scientists throughout the analytical service and proactively briefing supervisors on issues with solutions or options.
Membership status with the Royal Society of Chemistry or similar professional body.
Welsh Language Level requirements:
Essential:
Level A1 - Entry level (able to use and understand simple, basic phrases and greetings, no conversational Welsh)
Desirable:
Level C1 - Proficiency level (fluent Welsh speaker)
Welsh language levels
Please note
if you do not meet the level A1 requirement i.e., ability to understand basic phrases and ability to pronounce Welsh names correctly, then NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Benefits
This role will offer a range of benefits, including:
Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97% (successful internal staff will remain in their current pension scheme)
28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
commitment to professional development
health and wellbeing benefits and support
weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose
See full details for all the
employee benefits
you will receive.
Please keep reading
We're passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
We are committed to equal opportunities and we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, so we make sure that our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale and annual increments are paid each year.
We want our staff to grow professionally and personally. From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on variety of topics, stay current in their field and continue to learn as their career progresses.
We are a bilingual organisation which complies with the Welsh Language Standards. Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills.
You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally. Applications are welcome from individuals who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time.
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