Organic geochemist - Nottingham, United Kingdom - British Geological Survey

Description

Organic Geochemist

Natural Environment Research Council – British Geological Survey
Band UKRI D/S2
Salary: £39,375 per annum
Contract Type: Open ended
Hours: Full-time – 37 hours a week (some flexible working options may be available, including a small amount of remote working, in line with BGS policy)
Location: Keyworth, Nottingham
A great benefits package is offered, including an outstanding pension scheme, 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and access to flexi-time
Closing date: 30 June 2024

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic organic geochemist able to operate independently and within a team of applied chemists. The post is open but not limited to recent postgraduates or candidates approaching the end of their studies, with opportunity for ongoing learning and skills development. The candidate will operate a selection of analytical instrumentation to support research on applied environmental chemistry projects in the UK and internationally. More specifically, the candidate will operate GC/MS/MS to develop research and business in the sphere of legacy and emerging contaminants as well as natural organic compounds (biomarkers) present in soil, sediment and waters.

The candidate may be required to assist visiting students and to develop new analytical methodologies for deployment in a laboratory or field environment. Opportunities may arise for UK and/or International fieldwork.

About you

You should have a first degree in Chemistry or related topic and PhD with analytical organic geochemistry experience). In additional you should have experience in analytical organic chemistry and specifically operation of GC/MS and GC/MS/MS for the quantitative analysis of organic compounds in soils, sediments and waters. You should also have experience required in spiking samples to appropriate concentrations, extraction, compound class separation (e.g. SPE, QuEChers), derivatization, calibration of GC/MS, programming method files (masses, retention time windows). In addition you must be able to swim for river and coastal field work (requirement for our external clients)

Please also refer to the additional specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post.

You will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during your employment.

Skills Specification - Criteria to be assessed at Shortlist 'S' and Interview 'I' Stage

Essential

First Degree in Chemistry or related topic and PhD with analytical organic geochemistry experience) (S)

Full driving licence for UK fieldwork (S)

Experience in analytical organic chemistry and specifically operation of GC/MS and GC/MS/MS for the quantitative analysis of organic compounds in soils, sediments and waters. (S,I)

Experience required in spiking samples to appropriate concentrations, extraction, compound class separation (e.g. SPE, QuEChers), derivatization, calibration of GC/MS, programming method files (masses, retention time windows). (S,I)

Knowledge in coordinating data from laboratory instruments and awareness of quality assurance requirements (UKAS) for client output. (S,I)
Ability to operate complex equipment with multiple software packages GC/MS, GC, FTIR, pyrolysis GC-MS (S,I)

Effective written and oral communication skills (S,I)

Demonstrate good team working skills and self-motivated and capable of working independently and proactively (S, I)

Ability to prioritise work and meet tight deadlines (S, I)

Able to travel off-site / abroad regularly / occasionally (I)

Desirable

Membership and engagement with learned society e.g. RSC, GeolSoc, IAG, SEGH) (S)

Operation of Thermo-Quantiva instrument (S,I)

Pollution: This role requires experience in analysis of legacy (e.g. PAH, PCB, PBDE, TPH, DDT) and emerging contaminants (e.g. PBDE, PFAS, pharma, pesticides) and others (e.g. sewage steroids,, ahhydrosugars). (S,I)

Natural Carbon: This role requires experience in evaluation of natural organic compounds (free and polymeric) (e.g. (hopanes, steranes and other markers as taraxerol) as well as complex biogeopolymers by pyrolysis/GC/MS. (S,I)

Operation of FTIR spectrometer, Iatroscan-TPH analyser (S,I)

Knowledge of statistical software e. g. R core (S,I)

Knowledge of applying environmental geochemistry data to biogeochemical studies and or other issues eg radioactive waste disposal (S,I)

About us

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an applied geoscience research centre that belongs to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and is affiliated to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey whose core mission is to advise government of science related to the subsurface and to undertake applied research to solve earth and environmental issues, both in the UK and globally. It is funded directly by UKRI, as well as through research grants and private sector contracts.

We strive to promote equality and diversity across our organisation in order to continuously improve our scientific and organisational efficiency. As such, we aim to have a workforce with employees from all backgrounds with people who are passionate about earth science and who share our dedication to work for the good of the environment and the benefit of society.

How to apply

Applicants are required to include a CV and covering letter outlining their suitability for the role. We would stress the importance of this paperwork in our selection process.

A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.

If you experience any issues applying for this role, please contact

The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 30 June 2024. Interviews are expected to be held in July 2024 in Nottingham.

About The British Geological Survey (BGS) The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an applied geoscience research centre that is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and affiliated to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey that provides a core science mission to inform government of science related to the subsurface and its interfaces and also undertakes applied research for solutions to earth and environmental processes, both in the UK and globally. It is funded directly by UKRI as well as through research grants and via private sector contracts. BGS has an annual budget of approximately £60 million and employs 650 people. It has two main sites, a head office in Keyworth near Nottingham and the Lyell Centre, which is a joint collaboration with Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. BGS works with more than 150 private sector organisations as well as having close links with 40 universities and sponsors approximately 100 PhD students each year. How to Apply Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit your CV and a covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for BGS and the role you're applying for. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit your application without a covering letter may result in your application not being considered. You will only be assessed on the content of your CV and covering letter and not the 'experience' section of the application. About UKRI UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, and a vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment. How we support EDI in the workforce At UKRI we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to flourish and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce' Disability Confident Employer As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. Additional Information

Organisation: Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) - British Geological Survey

Contract Type: Open Ended

External Closing Date: Jun 30, 2024

Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 39,375

Hours: Full-time