Laboratory Assistant Farnham, South East England, England
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Location
About the job
Job summary
Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science? Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crisis? Forest Research is all about giving top quality evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners to make a positive impact on the ground. Internationally recognised, we need people who have the skills and passion to work on excellent science and provide practical solutions for nature.
We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways. Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our planet. And you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer, so you can have a work life balance that is tailor-made to your circumstances. So whether it’s climate or carbon, pests or pathogens, behaviour or biodiversity that interests you, you can be assured of a warm welcome to the team. To find out more, visit forestresearch.gov.uk.
The job is located within the Physical Environment Research Group, which undertakes research to improve understanding of the interactions between forestry and the physical environment. Our work includes a range of studies to measure, model and map the impacts of forests, woodlands and their management on soil and water resources, including interactions with environmental change. The results help to guide forestry policy and management practices to secure the soil and water services that underpin the multiple benefits provided by forests.
Job description
Our research relies on a high-quality chemical laboratory service located within the Research Group at Alice Holt Lodge in Surrey. The laboratory is staffed by a small team, comprising a laboratory manager, two analysts and one full time plus two part-time laboratory assistants. We are seeking an additional laboratory assistant to further grow the team to assist with preparing a range of samples for chemical analysis from new research studies. Due to a peak in workload, we are looking for someone to start as soon as possible.
The chemical laboratory provides a comprehensive range of standard and specialist tests for inorganic analysis. We handle samples from plants, trees, soil and water following strict quality assurance protocols. Our laboratory is among the top performing chemical analysis facilities across Europe, regularly ranking within the top five in EU-wide inter-laboratory comparison testing. Please refer to Chemical Analysis and Laboratory - Forest Research for more information about our work.
Purpose of the job:
A full-time laboratory assistant is needed to help with processing environmental samples for analysis in the chemical laboratory at Alice Holt. Work will primarily involve sorting and processing foliar and root samples in the laboratory, and preparing soil samples for chemical analysis.
Key Work Areas:
i. Receiving, transferring, and processing environmental samples, including sorting, sieving, grinding, milling, crushing, weighing and drying
ii General laboratory duties, including keeping worktops tidy and washing sample bottles and containers
Person specification
Responsibilities:
We are looking for someone who can follow detailed instructions in accordance with established procedures. Accuracy and tidiness are important in carrying out routine and repetitive tasks. You should be a good team player.
Essential Criteria
5 GCSEs or equivalent qualifications, including science, maths and English
Desirable Criteria
Some experience of working in a chemical laboratory
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Working Together
Benefits
Your career
- Excellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
- access to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settings
Your work/life balance
- flexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilities
- A generous annual leave allowance of 25 days per year, rising to 30 days after 5 years (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidays
Your wellbeing
- Wellbeing support and staff networks and including Mental Health First Aiders, Rainbow Canopy (LGBTQ+) and an Employee Assistance Programme
- We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood Fridays
- Paid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and time
Your benefits
- a highly competitive Civil Service Pension where employer contributions are up to 26% of your salary
- an employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shops
- Cycle to Work scheme and Interest free loans
- Free parking is offered on-site, alongside electric car charging ports
- With maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave there’s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leave of up to two weeks is available with full pay.
Any move to Forest Research from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Sift Date: 6 June 2023
Interview Date: 15 June 2023
We will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Behaviour - Working Together. However, candidates will be expected to answer questions on all behaviours at the interview stage.
Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Forest Research which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.
Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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