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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop innovative analytical methods for environmental chemistry projects.
- Company: Join Smithers, a leader in environmental risk sciences with a collaborative team.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, pension contributions, and flexible career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental science while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: BSc, MSc or PhD in Chemistry with strong analytical method development experience.
- Other info: Engage with experienced scientists and work on diverse, challenging projects.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Environmental Chemist to join the Analytical Chemistry team, part of the Chemistry department within the Environmental Risk Sciences (ERS) division of Smithers, based in Harrogate. This role is ideal for an experienced analytical scientist with a strong background in method development and validation, particularly for pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, agrochemicals, and biocides, who is looking to play a key role in shaping the technical and scientific direction of a growing team.
Smithers ERS Limited provides environmental and regulatory safety testing services to clients across the pharmaceutical, agricultural, chemical, and biocidal sectors. Our analytical teams support regulatory submissions by generating high-quality, defensible data in compliance with international guidelines and quality systems.
The Role
Reporting to the Director of Chemistry, the Senior Environmental Chemist will lead and deliver complex analytical method development activities, supporting both routine and novel studies. The role includes a mix of hands-on laboratory work, GLP Study Director responsibilities, and client-facing scientific interaction, making it well suited to a technically strong scientist with good communication skills and regulatory awareness. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of analytical strategies for emerging contaminants, supporting environmental exposure, fate, and risk assessment studies under GLP and non-GLP frameworks.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, optimise, and validate analytical methods for target molecules within complex environmental relevant matrices
- Apply advanced analytical techniques, with a strong focus on LC-MS/MS and GC-based methods
- Act as Study Director for assigned analytical and environmental chemistry studies
- Provide technical leadership and scientific input into study design and method strategy
- Support the identification and assessment of emerging environmental contaminants
- Interpret complex analytical data and produce high-quality, regulator-ready reports
- Engage directly with clients to discuss technical approaches, troubleshoot challenges, and support study delivery
- Contribute to continuous improvement, innovation, and best practice within the analytical team
- Support audits, inspections, and regulatory interactions as required
Qualifications and Experience
- BSc, MSc or PhD in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, or a related discipline
- Significant practical experience in analytical method development within a regulated laboratory or CRO environment
- Strong hands-on expertise with LC-MS/MS and GC instrumentation
- Experience working with pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, agrochemicals, and/or biocidal products
- Demonstrated understanding of emerging contaminants in the environment and their analytical challenges
- Experience acting as a Study Director or supporting study direction under GLP is highly desirable
- Strong problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and scientific judgement
- Excellent communication, organisational, and client-facing skills
We Offer
We offer the opportunity to work on diverse and technically challenging projects alongside experienced scientists, while developing a rewarding and flexible career. Our benefits include:
- Private Medical Insurance with Bupa
- Employer-matched pension contributions
- Eyecare vouchers
- Ride to Work scheme
- Life assurance cover
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free mortgage advice service
Join Smithers and help shape the future of environmental and analytical science.
Senior Environmental Chemist in Harrogate employer: Smithers
Contact Detail:
Smithers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Environmental Chemist in Harrogate
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the environmental science field, attend industry events, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and being ready to discuss your past projects. We recommend practising common interview questions and even doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for environmental chemistry! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm shine through. We want to see how you can contribute to innovative solutions in the field, so don’t hold back!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect with us directly. Let’s make it happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Environmental Chemist in Harrogate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your background in analytical method development and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those involving LC-MS/MS and GC techniques.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about environmental chemistry and how your experience aligns with the role. Don’t forget to mention your client-facing skills and any leadership roles you've had.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In both your CV and cover letter, provide examples of how you've tackled complex analytical challenges. This will demonstrate your strong problem-solving ability and attention to detail, which are key for this role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us that you’re serious about joining our team at Smithers!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smithers
✨Know Your Methods Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the analytical methods relevant to the role, especially LC-MS/MS and GC techniques. Be prepared to discuss your experience with method development and validation, as this will show your technical expertise and confidence.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves client-facing interactions, practice articulating complex scientific concepts in a clear and concise manner. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated technical information to non-experts, as this will highlight your ability to engage with clients effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making under GLP conditions. Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you’ve tackled challenges in method development or study direction, demonstrating your analytical thinking and leadership.
✨Understand Emerging Contaminants
Familiarise yourself with current trends and challenges related to emerging environmental contaminants. Being able to discuss these topics will not only show your knowledge but also your passion for the field, making you a more attractive candidate for the team.
