Senior GC-MS Analyst in Bedford

This is a senior position within the Gas Chromatography (GC) department, taking technical leadership of analytical output across a well-invested environmental testing section. Supporting the Section Head, the successful candidate will oversee complex GC-MS workflows, drive method development, and ensure high-quality delivery across diverse environmental matrices.

Key Responsibilities

• Analytical Operations: Run, maintain, and troubleshoot advanced GC-MS, GC-QQQ, Headspace GC-MS, and GC-FID/TEA systems in a high-throughput laboratory environment.
• Method Development: Lead continuous method development, optimisation, and validation for trace-level contaminants to support expanding analytical services.
• Quality & Compliance: Work strictly within ISO 17025 and MCERTS accreditation frameworks, maintaining data integrity, robust QA/QC protocols, and non-conformance resolution.
• Technical Leadership: Guide and mentor Analysts and Extraction Chemists, assisting with workload prioritisation and daily operational delivery.
• Troubleshooting: Resolve complex technical, instrumentation, and sample matrix issues to minimise downtime and preserve data quality.
• Project & Client Delivery: Manage analytical workflows to meet strict turnaround times, communicating clear technical information to support client programmes.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Degree in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline (or equivalent laboratory experience).
• Strong, hands-on experience running, maintaining, and troubleshooting GC-MS or GC-QQQ instrumentation within an accredited testing environment.
• Proven track record in method development and validation (ideally supporting ISO 17025 or MCERTS standards).
• Solid understanding of sample extraction techniques, chromatographic separation, and mass spectrometry data evaluation.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with experience mentoring junior laboratory staff.

Desirable Experience

• Experience testing environmental matrices such as water, wastewater, soil, sediment, or air/gas samples.
• Familiarity with specialised GC techniques (e.g., Headspace, GC-TOF, GC-TEA).
• Prior exposure to project management, commercial client support, or modern LIMS systems.

Benefits

• Performance-based company bonus scheme.
• Generous pension scheme & private healthcare options.
• Comprehensive employee wellbeing and mental health support programmes.
• Clear pathways for progression into Principal Scientist, Section Head, or laboratory leadership roles.
• Mentoring, leadership development, and formal management training.
• Free on-site parking.

To Apply

Please submit your CV for consideration and a member of our recruitment team will review it and be in touch. We do not use any automated CV screening. Due to receiving a high application number, however, we can't reply to each application received. If you have not heard from us within 7 days your application has been unsuccessful.