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Analytical Chemist

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)

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Software Engineering

Lowestoft, UK

Posted on Oct 1, 2024

Location

Lowestoft

About the job

Job summary

An exciting opportunity exists for an Analytical Chemist to join the Hydrocarbons Team within the Radiological and Chemical Sciences (RACS) Group. Our work area comprises a diverse group of scientists and technicians who provide high quality analytical support and expertise, data interpretation and scientific advice to a comprehensive portfolio of internal and external projects for UK and international partners.

In this role you will develop experience and expertise in analytical sciences and techniques to analyse an array of hydrocarbon compounds, including measuring their concentrations in marine environmental samples. You will be expected to contribute to the meeting of project delivery deadlines and to ensure that our laboratories operate to consistently high levels of Quality standards (ISO/IEC17025; UKAS accreditation).

We are a dynamic team delivering on an exciting portfolio of high-impact science and work which we continue to develop and grow including areas of Research and Development (R&D). We are seeking an analytical chemist who will be passionate about their work and will be a dedicated, committed scientist looking for a long-term career path. There will be opportunities to develop and grow with the role and to contribute to impactful and interesting science as part of an inclusive and friendly team.

The data you produce will be related to the measurements of contaminants in the marine environment, as part of Cefas’ vision of providing science and evidence that governments need to create clean, healthy, sustainable seas as part of a blue future.

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)

Job description

Based at our Lowestoft site, most of your time will be spent working in a laboratory environment, in regular communication with the Hydrocarbons Technical Manger and Principal Scientist. The main duties and responsibilities of this post include:

Analysis and reporting of samples for hydrocarbon compounds in the marine environment;
Laboratory housekeeping and management;
Calibration of instruments and maintaining records;
Co-ordinating project delivery and sample preparation;
Operation and maintenance of complex instrumentation (Spectrofluorimeter, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionisation Detector);
Troubleshooting and problem solving;
Delivery of quality assured data;
Working in accordance with formal quality systems (ISO/IEC17025, UKAS accreditation) and helping to maintain standards of accreditation; and
Innovating and developing new methods and improvements

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

The following are essential criteria required for this role and you must be able to demonstrate your skills and experience in the following areas:

You must have some experience of working in an analytical laboratory following Standard Operating Procedures;
Experience of operating, maintaining and calibrating analytical instrumentation is an advantage;
Knowledge of quality control practices and associated documentation relevant to ISO/IEC17025;
You must have a curiosity and determination towards solving analytical problems and driving change to improve efficiency and analytical understanding to improve our science;
Effective team working is essential to this role, as is the ability to work autonomously and use your own initiative;
We need highly self-motivated and enthusiastic people with a positive attitude to learning new skills and to continuous improvement;
You must have good verbal and written communication skills;
It is essential that you are methodical, organised, have the ability to multitask whilst maintaining focus, have sound problem-solving skills, and excellent attention to detail;
You will need to be flexible and possess the ability to organise your own workload to meet deadlines; and
You must also show an awareness of good health and safety culture and be able to follow COSHH Risk Assessments.

Behaviours

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

Delivering at Pace
Working Together
Changing and Improving

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

Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Working experience of performing laboratory techniques and be able to accurately and consistently follow standard operating procedures
• Be able to demonstrate an appreciation of analytical quality control and required documentation and practices
• Be able to demonstrate situations where you have solved a problem
• Some experience in operating analytical instrumentation including basic troubleshooting, maintenance and calibration

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,210, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science contributes £7,882 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, Strengths, 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 maximum 750-word Personal Statement on how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section, and a maximum 250-word statement on how you meet the advertised lead behaviour – Delivering at Pace.

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 – Delivering at Pace.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour – Delivering at Pace. 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, four advertised technical skills, your experience (as stated in the person specification section) and strengths.

As part of the interview process, you will be asked to complete an exercise on your knowledge and interpretation of a Shewhart Quality Control chart. Full details of the requirements will be sent to you ahead of interview, if you are shortlisted for interview.

Please be aware that at this time, interviews will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams.

If scores are equal following interview, an assessment of the lead behaviour – Delivering at Pace will be used by the panel.

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) 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(s)

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 : Cally Wiles or Alec Wilson
Email : resourcing@cefas.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email : defrarecruitment@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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