Environmental Chemist

Would you like to work for an organisation focused on the assessment and protection of the Scottish marine environment and the people it supports? Do you have good analytical chemistry skills, experience working within a quality system and have a knowledge of the marine environment?

If you do, you may be interested in joining our group of chemists actively involved in the Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystems (CCBE) work area of the Scottish Government Marine Directorate Science, Evidence, Data and Digital (SEDD) portfolio.

The CCBE work area provides advice and undertakes monitoring of the marine environment, including the measurement of contaminant concentrations in sediment and biota (fish and shellfish), measures the effects of contaminant exposure upon wildlife, and undertakes assessments of environmental status.

The main role of this post is to undertake method development for microplastics in sediment, continue with the data collation for microplastics in surface water, and contribute to the collation of seafloor litter data for submission to ICES. You will have the opportunity to assess and interrogate datasets as well as produce papers and reports on the outcomes.

This data supports Marine Directorate work areas such as environmental monitoring and assessments for OSPAR and the UK Marine Strategy. You will ensure their work complies with MS Quality System requirements. You will contribute to the publication of their work through statistical data analysis, drafting of reports / papers, and by delivering posters and oral presentations as may be required. You may be given the opportunity to participate in research cruises and environmental sampling.

Scottish Government is preparing for the implementation of a new HR and Finance platform and, as a result, some job offers will be subject to an October 2024 start date at the earliest. This will be confirmed as your application progresses.

• Development of methods for the analysis and identification of microplastics in sediment.
• Collation of data for microplastics in surface water and seafloor litter.
• SEDD operates a Quality System to ensure that scientific work complies with the UK Joint Code of Practise for Research (JCoP) or ISO 17025, as appropriate. You will be expected to maintain appropriately high standards of analysis and record keeping (including the use of the Laboratory Information Management System, e.g. for sample tracking).
• Participate in the annual review and updates of Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and Risk Assessments.
• Statistical data analysis.
• Contribute to the preparation of reports, presentations and peer-reviewed papers.
• Be willing to participate in sampling (onshore and at sea) that involves the dissection of fish and shellfish.

Competencies

Self-Awareness
Communication and Engagement
Improving Performance
Analysis and Use of Evidence

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry preferably (or related science) with good laboratory skills.

Essential Criteria

1. Good laboratory skills as demonstrated by a Science degree.
2. An ability to follow written and verbal instructions to ensure work is completed accurately.
3. Good level of numeracy with experience of using statistical analyses to understand and interpret datasets.
4. Good written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to work within a team to achieve objectives.

Location

This post will be based at the University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX.

This role will be predominantly based on site with limited opportunities for hybrid working.

Provisional interview Dates

Interviews are anticipated to take place in early September but may be subject to change, interviews are expected to take place in person.
 
Minimum Time in Post

You will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of three years unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade. 
 
In the event that further posts are required, a reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for up to 9 months. 

You must discuss your intention to apply with your current line manager to help ensure release dates can be agreed.

Sponsorship Information

Changes to legislation concerning Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship were implemented on 04/04/2024. If you think you may require Visa Sponsorship it is important that prior to applying you read the official Home Office guidance to confirm eligibility.

Any applicants that are not eligible for sponsorship will be withdrawn at either application stage or the point of offer, with any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Additional Information

To apply please fully complete the application and submit evidence based examples to demonstrate your knowledge/skills (300 words). Remember, your answers should be clear, concise and reflect what actions you undertook. You may want to use the STAR(R) approach to respond to each criterion.

For further information, please download and review the “Person Specification” which you will find below.

Band B Person Specification
Science Specialist Competency Framework

The post is a full-time role, but staff with different working patterns are invited to apply, and we will assess proposed working patterns against the business requirements for this post.

For information on this post please contact Lynda Webster by email at lynda.webster@gov.scot

The Scottish Government is a diverse and inclusive workplace and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any adjustments to our recruitment process, please let us know via ScottishGovernmentrecruitment@gov.scot

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Personal information you provide in the recruitment process will be made available to Scottish Government and our additional data processors.