Inorganic Assistant Scientist

Inorganic Assistant Scientist

Number of jobs available

2

Region

South West

City/Town

Exeter

Building/Site

DEFRA GRP EXETER STARCROSS, EX6 8PE

Grade

Staff Grade 2

Post Type

Permanent

Role Type

Analytical

Working Pattern

Full Time

Salary Minimum

£25,301 - £27,841

Closing Date:

10/11/2025, 23:55 hours

Job description attachment 1

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Candidate pack

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Security checks level

Basic Check

Job description

Are you passionate about science and helping the environment? Do you want to develop your Laboratory skills and gain valuable experience? Then the Inorganic team could be for you. Our lab is based at the Monitoring Laboratories' Starcross site. The team delivers core analytical work in parallel with investigational/project work for the Environment Agency and for other government and commercial customers.

As a Grade 2, you will support the analytical work and playing a key role within the team and ensuring that work is carried out to defined quality standards. You will enjoy working as part of a team to deliver organisational goals. You will be comfortable working in a busy lab environment and delivering at pace

The team

The Monitoring Laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC17025 with 3 sites across the country – Leeds, Brampton and Starcross. Starcross specialises in freshwater, saline and effluent analysis. Our Inorganic team comprises approximately 25 staff and is responsible for a wide range of analytical methods that are essential in supporting the Environment Agency's aims and objectives.

Experience/skills required

You must have ability to work cooperatively with team members to achieve results.

You must be an effective communicator, able to develop and maintain relationships within the team.

You'll also need to demonstrate the key capabilities as defined in the Job Profile.

Knowledge in Inorganic techniques would be desirable.

You will be able to demonstrate your commitment to continuous professional development, for example by being, working towards, or willing to work towards becoming, a Registered Scientist with the Institute of Science and Technology (or similar

Contact and additional information

This role can be a Monday to Friday, Tuesday to Saturday based on a 37-hour week. A reserve list will apply

Interviews will be held face to face on site at the Starcross laboratory W/C 1st November 2025.

If you have any questions prior to applying, please contact:

Louise Pearce on or by email at or

Andrew Welham by email .

As an organisation we strive to reflect the communities we serve. We support flexible working hours and practices to help you strike a good balance between your work and personal life. You'll have access to a Local Government Pension scheme.

For further information on this role, the employee benefits and work of the Environment Agency. Please download the candidate pack.

Competence 1

Communicates Effectively

Description

Describe, with an example, the differences in your communication techniques between a normal, and a high-pressure, situation.

We encourage you to refer to the EA Capability dictionary and STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) information in the attached candidate pack, to assist you with your application.

Competence 2

Achieves Results

Description

Provide an example of where you have worked as part of a team to achieve a common goal.?

We encourage you to refer to the EA Capability dictionary and STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) information in the attached candidate pack, to assist you with your application.

Competence 3

Works in Teams

Description

Provide an example of where you have worked as part of a team to achieve a common goal?

We encourage you to refer to the EA Capability dictionary and STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) information in the attached candidate pack, to assist you with your application.

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit for more information.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.