Senior Analyst; GC-MS

Overview

RPS is looking for a Senior GC-MS Analytical Chemist to join our Bedford based laboratory. The role provides a varied workload, working with a wide range of environmental contaminants in challenging matrices. This is a key role, managing the output of a team of analysts and extraction chemists to ensure quality service and on-time project delivery for our clients.

We are a high calibre scientific team of Analysts, Chemists, and Technicians that operate from purpose-built laboratory facilities which have a long history of providing expert advice and analytical solutions to a range of sectors including water, utilities, agrochemicals and defence. Our laboratories enjoy an international reputation for solving complex and novel analytical problems and delivering large scale monitoring programmes such as the UK’s Chemical Investigations Programme.

The Bedford Laboratory houses a state-of-the-art analytical facility renowned for its work, in ultra-trace complex analysis of emerging and priority pollutants. This laboratory was one of the first laboratories in the UK to gain UKAS accreditation for the analysis of PFAS chemicals in the aftermath of the Buncefield oil terminal fire in 2005. The laboratory comprises around 100 scientists and support staff and is equipped with the latest range of instrumentation, which enables us to push the boundaries of detection and measure extremely low levels of pollutants in environmental matrices.

As a key member of the Laboratories business, your role as a Senior Analyst is critical to helping us conduct investigations and formulate effective solutions to help our clients comply with environmental quality standards (EQS) and maximum residue limits (MRLs).

By joining us you will collaborate with our clients, to design a tailored analytical programme to meet their complex regulatory needs. Leveraging our state-of-the-art instrumentation. You will be influential in providing analytical support to develop new methods and optimising existing analysis to ensure ongoing compliance with evolving regulatory limits.

Your Responsibilities

• Managing a business-stream to deliver output to agreed targets
• Operate single and triple quadrupole GC-MS instrumentation, as well as other laboratory equipment as required
• Supervise Analysts and Extractors within the GC Section
• Work with Extraction staff within the laboratory to ensure samples are prepared for analysis according to customer requirements
• Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting of analytical equipment
• Apply advanced analytical skills to implement assigned projects and to identify and trouble-shoot situations needing special attention
• Develop, optimise and validate analytical methodology as required
• Conduct troubleshooting of analytical methods
• Investigate and close off Non-Conforming Work investigations in line with our quality systems.
• The job involves the following possible hazards
• Manual handling
• Use of display screen equipment
• Use of chemicals

Skills, Knowledge, And Experience

• A BSc in Chemistry or related subject
• Solid experience working within an accredited analytical testing laboratory, ideally within the environmental sector
• An excellent understanding and technical knowledge of GC-MS and GC-MS/MS systems
• Proven experience in training and mentoring junior staff
• Be able to work to and achieve defined targets
• Experience conducting routine maintenance and troubleshooting of GC-MS and GC-MS/MS systems
• Be used to working under laboratory quality assurance programs e.g. ISO 17025

What’s in it for you?

A personal development plan and a transparent career pathway puts you in the driving seat of your career and you’ll be supported as far as you want to go. A career here is far from ordinary. Here you’re not a number, you are part of the solution.

Why RPS?

We’re a connected community, working together to achieve exceptional outcomes. We understand the need to work flexibly, empowering our people to create a work-life balance that’s right for them. We also understand the importance of collaboration and social connection in the office environment. With agile offices offered as standard, we trust our people to find…