Assistant Scientist - 35575
CompanyEnvironment Agency
Location
Leeds, England, United Kingdom
Employment TypeFull-time
Posted At4/20/2026
UK Visa Sponsorship Analytics
Analytics are greyed out due to low classification confidence (54.0%).
Occupation TypeLaboratory technicians
Occupation Code Skill LevelMedium Skilled
Sponsorship Salary Threshold
£33,400
(£17.13 per hour)
Immigration salary list rate applies
✓ On immigration salary list - lower visa fees apply
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Description
Job Description
We really do value a diverse workforce. We want to be an organisation that represents modern Britain and all the communities we serve. We want everybody to feel included, fairly treated and duly recognised for the contribution they make.
If you are interested in a varied role that includes all aspects of laboratory analysis, with a passion for the natural environment this is an exciting opportunity for you. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join the team based at the Leeds laboratory. Prior technical laboratory knowledge is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided. You will be directly contributing to the Environment Agency’s core responsibilities whilst working in a small team carrying out analysis.
You will need to work as part of a team to provide a world class service to our internal and external customers. You will provide the delivery of specific technical and scientific activities in line with defined plans while ensuring work is consistently delivered to required standards and service levels. You will actively promote health, safety and wellbeing matters ensuring the provision of safe working practices in line with EA guidance.
The team
You’ll be working within a small team alongside approximately 50 other Analytical staff and 12 Customer Services colleagues. We provide analytical services to the Environment Agency and external customers which includes the analysis of sediments, soils, biota and waters from across England and around the coastline, as well as offering a bespoke Forensic Waste Service. If you’d like to know a bit more about our work, please take a look at our websites
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency/about
Experience/skills Required
Whether you are at the start of your career journey or returning to the workplace, we want to hear from you.
Through experience to date you will ideally be able to demonstrate the following:
We really do value a diverse workforce. We want to be an organisation that represents modern Britain and all the communities we serve. We want everybody to feel included, fairly treated and duly recognised for the contribution they make.
If you are interested in a varied role that includes all aspects of laboratory analysis, with a passion for the natural environment this is an exciting opportunity for you. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join the team based at the Leeds laboratory. Prior technical laboratory knowledge is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided. You will be directly contributing to the Environment Agency’s core responsibilities whilst working in a small team carrying out analysis.
You will need to work as part of a team to provide a world class service to our internal and external customers. You will provide the delivery of specific technical and scientific activities in line with defined plans while ensuring work is consistently delivered to required standards and service levels. You will actively promote health, safety and wellbeing matters ensuring the provision of safe working practices in line with EA guidance.
The team
You’ll be working within a small team alongside approximately 50 other Analytical staff and 12 Customer Services colleagues. We provide analytical services to the Environment Agency and external customers which includes the analysis of sediments, soils, biota and waters from across England and around the coastline, as well as offering a bespoke Forensic Waste Service. If you’d like to know a bit more about our work, please take a look at our websites
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency/about
Experience/skills Required
Whether you are at the start of your career journey or returning to the workplace, we want to hear from you.
Through experience to date you will ideally be able to demonstrate the following:
- Comfortable with the use of IT including Microsoft office – (training will be given on software required for the role)
Contact and additional information
The role will be based at the laboratory in Leeds, it is a non-hybrid role and there will be no travel requirements.
You’ll be welcomed into the team and given the training and support you need to succeed in your role. All EA employees are expected to participate in incident response and will receive relevant training. We support flexible working hours and practices to help strike a good balance between work and personal life. You’ll have access to a Local Government Pension scheme as well as a host of other benefits.
For further information, please download the candidate pack. We aim to hold interviews on site within 4 weeks of the advert closing and will also hold a reserve list.
For any questions contact peter.maddison@environment-agency.gov.uk
Competence 1
Achieves Results
Description
Give a detailed example where you have had to deliver multiple pieces of work with conflicting deadlines. How did you plan and prioritise the different tasks, deal with any unforeseen issues and ensure deadlines were met, whilst ensuring quality was not compromised.
Competence 2
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
As part of your role, you will be required to find and resolve technical problems with scientific instrumentation in an optimal and timely manner. Tell us of a time you have identified a problem and describe the processes you followed to identify the root cause. What did you decide to try first and why, and if you needed to keep anyone else informed of progress.
Competence 3
Communicates Effectively
Description
Describe a time when you had to communicate important information to others. How did you adapt your communication style to your audience and what different styles of communication did you use to confirm you were well understood? How did you prepare for likely questions or issues?
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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know 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.