RPS is looking for an Extraction Chemist to join our Laboratory Team based in Bedford. This position is ideally suited to a recent Graduate in Chemistry (or closely related subject) and will build your experience of working in a fast-paced, commercial laboratory environment with rapidly changing priorities.
Salary starts at £24,655 and, as part of the Extraction Development scheme you can see your salary rise through regular performance reviews.
About the team
RPS Laboratories is a team of Analysts, Chemists, and Technicians that operate from purpose-built laboratory facilities which have a long history of providing expert advice and analytical solutions to the agrochemical sector. Our laboratories enjoy an international reputation for solving complex and novel analytical problems in a wide variety of food, feed, and forage crops.
Our Bedford laboratory was one of the first laboratories in the UK to gain UKAS accreditation for the analysis of PFAS chemicals following the monitoring required at the Buncefield oil terminal.
About you
As a key member of the Laboratories business, your role as a Extraction Chemist is critical to helping us conduct investigations and formulate effective solutions to help our clients comply with international quality standards, maximum residue limits (MRLs), environmental regulations, and much more.
By joining us you will collaborate with our clients, to design a tailored analytical programme to meet their complex regulatory needs. Leveraging our state-of-the-art instrumentation. You will be influential in providing analytical support during the remediation and clean-up project and subsequent routine monitoring.
Your responsibilities
- Follow established quality procedures to perform various types of sample extraction and preparation
- Maintain a working stock of consumables and chemicals, which are essential to perform daily activities and tasks
- Responsible for conducting a range of laboratory checks, including calibration and maintenance of laboratory equipment such as pipettes, balances and other bench tools
- Work as part of a team to ensure that all other routine laboratory tasks are completed to ensure that the Laboratory operates smoothly
The job may involve the following possible hazards:
- Manual handling
- Handling chemicals and solvents
- Handling samples that are potentially biohazardous
- Handling of foods, including nuts
Skills, knowledge, and experience
- Knowledge of basic laboratory skills and techniques, including use of pipettes, balances, syringes, titrations, dilutions etc
- Good time management skills, attention to detail and ability to cope under pressure
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, seeking advice where necessary
- Understanding of Quality Control/Quality Assurance processes and their importance within a laboratory environment
- Ability to work with minimal supervision as well as part of a team.
- Good inter-personal and communication skills
