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Senior ICP-MS Specialist

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)

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Lowestoft, UK

Posted on Aug 20, 2024

Location

This vacancy is based at our site in Lowestoft

About the job

Job summary

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced and innovative analytical chemist within the Radiological and Chemical Sciences Group to lead the development of our ICP-MS/MS methods. This is a specialist role requiring a high level of expertise in the operation of traditional ICP-MS and desirably of state-of-the-art ICP-MS/MS for the measurement of trace elements in the marine environment, in particular some naturally occurring and nuclear-derived radioisotopes. Our new nuclear science area comprises a diverse group of scientists who provide high quality radioanalytical support, data interpretation and scientific advice to a comprehensive portfolio of internal and external projects for UK and international partners.

The role requires an experienced analyst who can lead and contribute to the development of novel ICP-MS/MS methods for the quantification of elements that are hazardous to humans, marine life or of interest for oceanographic and biological tracing purposes. You will provide scientific leadership and support, and will contribute to the development of our science, people, and capability. In your leadership role you will contribute to enhancing scientific collaborations both within our Nuclear Science and wider Cefas as well as externally, and in support of our 2030 vision and strategic roadmap direction. You will engage in and develop inter/national collaborations and help to disseminate scientific outputs though growing our peer-review publications and raising our profile through conference and workshop participation and attendance.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Welcome to Cefas (youtube.com)

Cefas is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, backgrounds, ways of working and thinking, makes us a stronger organisation, better at reflecting the communities we serve. We embrace different views and experiences and value the fresh perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, gender, age, ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.

Job description

The main duties and responsibilities of the role are:

Leading and undertaking the development of new methods using our state-of-the-art inductively coupled plasma - tandem mass spectrometer (ICP-MS/MS).

Responsibility of optimising and operating the ICP-MS/MS system primarily for measuring technetium-99 in selected marine biological samples, as part of our current FSA radiological monitoring programme.

Leading the development of a novel approach for measuring radium-226 in marine sediments, as part of our Blue Carbon related portfolio of work.

Leading and developing the research of novel forensic options, focusing on plutonium, uranium, thorium and caesium isotopes to help us better understand major hydrodynamic and sedimentary processes in the marine environment.

Developing our chemistry science with the transfer of existing ICP-MS methods used for a large suite of stable elements.

Contributing to other areas of our nuclear science, including gamma spectrometry.

Responsible for a variety of projects, both self-controlled research activities and collaborative projects with other Cefas or external scientists, with the main aim to generate excellent data that will go into research publications.

Maintaining and gaining the ISO17025 accreditation where relevant.

Promoting a positive Health & Safety, Environment and Quality culture.

Promoting a culture of innovation to drive forward method development and improvements in techniques.

You will lead and mentor scientists to ensure your developed skills and knowledge are effectively transferred to other team members.

In addition, Cefas reserves the right to ask staff to take on additional duties and responsibilities which are commensurate with their grade. Team Leaders and management will have a discussion with staff to explain the changes that are to be made. A new job description will be issued if required.

Person specification

A high level of knowledge of elemental chemistry and experience in operating ICP-MS systems is essential for this role. You must also be able to demonstrate your skills and experience in these areas:

Extensive hands-on experience in operating ICP-MS systems and ideally with ICP-MS/MS systems, with a proven track record of troubleshooting these instruments, and a good understanding of ICP-MS analytical software;

General knowledge of environmental monitoring and trace elemental analysis and knowledge of other techniques used to determine radioactivity concentrations in food and the aquatic environment;

You will be experienced in providing technical mentoring and leadership of staff;

Experience in working to quality systems and Health and Safety requirements in laboratory environments, including rigorous adherence to relevant COSHH, Risk Assessments and SOPs;

Flexible attitude to changing workloads and committed with the ability to organise own work to meet deadlines within a dynamic and diverse team environment;

Methodical, organised, with an excellent attention to detail to produce high-quality analytical results;

Team player with sound communication skills (verbally and in writing), open minded, positive to change and proactively responding to issues;

Demonstration of excellent leadership skills, as well as working with a multi-disciplinary scientific environment; and
University degree in analytical or environmental chemistry, environmental or nuclear science with relevance to the position and its tasks.

Qualifications

University degree in analytical or environmental chemistry, environmental or nuclear science with relevance to the position and its tasks.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Changing and Improving
Managing a Quality Service
Making Effective Decisions

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

Changing and Improving

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

Expertise in operating standard and/or state-of-the-art ICP-MS techniques;
A good working knowledge of mass spectrometric analytical software;
Experience of working to a quality system, for example, ISO17025.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,150, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science contributes £10,571 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Generous annual leave entitlement – Cefas offers 25 days' annual leave on entry (rising to 30 days over first 5yrs) for full-time new entrants to the Civil Service. Employees receive 8 public holidays a year, plus an additional day to mark the King's birthday
Access to learning and development tailored to your role
A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options
A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
Eligible to join the Civil Service Pension scheme – more information can be found on the CSP website http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/
Staff recognition vouchers
In-year award scheme

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Process

As part of the application process you are asked to provide a CV (job history, qualifications, past skills and experience), a 750-word Personal Statement on how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section, and a 250-word statement on how you meet the advertised lead behaviour – Changing and Improving.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

For guidance on Civil Service Success Profiles, this video tells you what you’ll need to provide throughout the assessment process with supporting guidance on each step. Link – Success Profiles
For guidance on how to construct your CV, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link - CV
For guidance on how to construct your personal statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – Statement
For guidance on how to construct your lead behaviour statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – Behaviours

Sift

The sift panel will use the information in your CV and Personal Statement to assess your experience and how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section. The sift panel will also assess the lead behaviour statement – Changing and Improving.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour – Changing and Improving. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or, progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the three advertised behaviours, three advertised technical skills, your experience (as stated in the person specification section.) You may also be asked to prepare a presentation or undertake an exercise. If this is the case, you will receive further information with your invitation to interview.

Please be aware that at this time, interviews will be held in-person at our site in Lowestoft.

If scores are equal following interview, an assessment of the lead behaviour – Changing and Improving, will be used by the panel.

Location

Please be aware that this role is based at our main location in Lowestoft.

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate.

Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Salary

New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Internal Fraud Database Check

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

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.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

Name : Cefas Resourcing Team
Email : resourcing@cefas.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact:
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ to visit Civil Service Commission.

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