Research Chemist (Metals)

Your new company

You will be joining a well-established, non-profit environmental research organisation with a strong national and international reputation. The organisation delivers high-impact science that informs environmental policy, regulation, and real world decision-making across air, land, and water systems. With decades of high-quality environmental data and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, the organisation is recognised for scientific excellence, collaboration, and commitment to sustainability.

Your new role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Inorganic / Metals Research Chemist to join a multidisciplinary analytical chemistry team based in the North West of England. The role sits within a leading environmental research group focused on understanding how pollution, land-use change, and climate pressures impact ecosystems. You will play a key role in developing and delivering high quality inorganic and metals analyses, while contributing to the design of innovative research projects and the generation of external funding. Working closely with internal researchers and external partners, your analytical expertise will directly support impactful environmental science.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing, validating, and documenting inorganic and metals analytical methods, including preparation of SOPs
• Contributing to and leading scientific outputs such as peer-reviewed publications, reports, and presentations
• Writing grant proposals, tenders, and funding bids to support income generation
• Ensuring the integrity and quality of analytical data, including oversight of data generation where required
• Training, mentoring, and supervising laboratory staff
• Supporting day-to-day laboratory management, including health & safety and COSHH compliance
• Working within an ISO 17025 quality framework, including audits and non-conformance investigations
• Liaising with instrument suppliers and supporting evaluation of new analytical instrumentation
• Conducting routine analyses as required to maintain laboratory resilience
• Potential opportunity to take on line management responsibilities as the role develops

The role offers flexibility, with full-time or part-time options available (minimum 0.8 FTE).

What you'll need to succeed

• A PhD in Environmental Chemistry (or related discipline), or an MSc with substantial and relevant laboratory experience
• Strong expertise in inorganic and metals chemistry, particularly within environmental matrices
• Hands-on experience with techniques such as ICP-MS, ICP-OES and/or XRF, including method development and optimisation
• Specialist knowledge of trace-level metals analysis and challenging or niche matrices
• A strong publication record and experience presenting at scientific conferences
• Proven success in securing competitive research funding
• A proactive, collaborative mindset with excellent communication skills
• A passion for analytical innovation and delivering science with real-world impact

What you'll get in return

In return, you'll join a supportive, high-performing scientific environment with access to world-class laboratory facilities and cutting-edge analytical instrumentation. The organisation is committed to professional development and offers a competitive reward package, including:

• Competitive salary and excellent benefits package
• The chance to genuinely contribute to positive environmental outcomes while supporting your long-term career development

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.