Location
Spencer House, Reading

Hours
5-day pattern covering Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, 38 hours per week (Note: Saturday will start when training is completed). This role is not suitable for home working.

Salary
£28,830 per annum

About the Role
The Metals team within the Thames Water labs plays a key role in ensuring our water is safe and clean and that waste products are treated correctly. As a Metals Team Laboratory Analyst, you will be involved in the preparation and analysis of soil and sludge samples. Your primary focus will be the physical drying and grinding of customer soil and sludge samples. As you develop, you will learn to prepare samples for analysis using instrumentation and progress to carrying out metals sample analysis and reporting test results within required timeframes, following laboratory procedures, technical standards, and quality management systems.

You will proactively improve your skills and knowledge, participate in the Laboratory Progression Scheme, and aim to obtain ‘Competent Analyst’ status for analytical methodologies routinely conducted within three years of starting. You will provide accurate, timely, and appropriate information in response to customer enquiries, demonstrating an understanding of customer requirements and the importance of the data generated.

Safety is paramount; you will ensure departmental safety, log incidents, and encourage safe working practices to protect yourself, colleagues, and the environment. You will support Metals team, laboratory, and company-wide initiatives including health and safety, maintain full records of customer samples, and ensure daily task records meet the high standards set within our Quality Management System and technical procedures.

Experience
Experience working in a routine sample testing or laboratory environment would be beneficial but is not essential.

About you
You should have a minimum of A-level education with science experience; a science degree is advantageous. You value being part of a team delivering excellent customer service. The role requires some physicality and repetitive effort in preparing and handling soil and sludge samples, so you should be capable of this. You must be comfortable working to set protocols and methodologies within our Quality Management System. A sense of drive and determination to learn new responsibilities and a willingness to grow and develop within the role and laboratory progression schemes are essential.

Qualifications
A minimum of A-level education with science experience is required; a science degree is advantageous. No specific qualifications beyond this are mandatory.