Research Chemist

Research Chemist Annual Salary: £38,900 to £41,300 Location: Lancashire Job Type: Permanent, Full-time We are excited to offer an opportunity for a Metals Research Chemist to join our client's Analytical Chemistry team in Lancashire. This role is ideal for a motivated analytical chemist with a strong background in inorganic analysis, particularly metal analysis, who is driven by scientific excellence and real-world impact. Day-to-day of the role: Lead the development of analytical methods arising from new scientific and funding opportunities, including method validation and the preparation of robust Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Generate income through writing bids, grant applications, and tender responses. Contribute to, and lead where appropriate, high-impact scientific outputs, providing analytical data and methodological content for peer-reviewed publications, customer reports, presentations, and book chapters. Ensure the quality and integrity of analytical data, including oversight of data generation where required. Train, mentor, and supervise laboratory staff, supporting skills development and maintaining high technical standards across the team. Manage laboratory operations, ensuring the safe use of facilities and compliance with COSHH and day-to-day lab management. Work within the laboratory quality system and ISO 17025, managing inorganic non-conforming work investigations and undertaking internal audits across the group. Liaise directly with instrument manufacturers, contributing to the evaluation and selection of new analytical instrumentation. Perform routine analyses when required, ensuring continuity and resilience of laboratory capability.Required Skills & Qualifications: PhD in Environmental Chemistry, or an MSc in Environmental Chemistry (or related discipline) with substantial laboratory experience. Solid grounding in environmental chemistry, with particular expertise in how metals behave and can be analysed in diverse environmental matrices. Proven experience in environmental chemical analyses with working knowledge of ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and XRF techniques (including method development and optimisation). Specialist knowledge of method development for metals analysis in niche matrices and at trace levels. Established track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals and delivering impactful presentations at scientific conferences. Demonstrable success in securing research funding through competitive bids.Benefits: 27 days annual leave (rising to 29 days after 5 years' service) plus 3 days for Christmas closure. 10% employer pension contribution. Peer reward and recognition scheme. Dental insurance, gym/fitness discounts, retail discount portal. Enhanced maternity and paternity leave. 24-hour, 365-day support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues and much more.How to Apply: If you have the experience and qualifications required for the role and would like to be considered for this opportunity, please apply online now. Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application