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    4. Assistant Scientist 2025
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    We are looking for a Full-Time Assistant Scientist (Fixed Term) in the Response, Enforcement, Development & Innovation (REDI) Unit which is part of SEPA’s Chemistry Function, on a Fixed Term basis until 24/05/2026.

    Your passion has never had a greater purpose

    Here at SEPA, we’re connected by a passion that drives us to be purposeful in every action we take – to protect our environment. Through our expertise, we lead projects that make a difference for Scotland, and our workplaces are grounded in respect for that expertise.

    That’s why, when you join us as an Assistant Scientist, you’ll discover enriching benefits, meaningful support, and opportunities to learn every day. That’s what it means to be Passionately Purposeful – for our environment, and for your career.

    Work that goes beyond your desk

    We work in a professional way towards our shared goals, knowing the work we do makes a genuine, lasting difference on the environment. As an Assistant Scientist within the REDI Unit your role will include:

    • Assisting in the running of our Quality Management System, ensuring the ongoing maintenance of ISO 17025 Accreditation.
    • Providing support for the Internal Quality Helpdesk, facilitating the efficient delivery of essential work.
    • Contributing to the development of the Operator Data Integrity Framework, ensuring robust data management practices.
    • Collaborating within a team to deliver work efficiently, meeting quality and timeline requirements.
    • Assisting in the revision and drafting of DPIA/EQHRIA documents.
    • Helping to gather and refine user requirements for Chemistry systems development, ensuring they align with operational needs.

    Respect for your expertise

    This is a highly important role within our Chemistry department within the Data, Evidence, and Innovation portfolio. The post has been created to support the work across Chemistry's Systems and Processes Programme, to be successful in this role you’ll need...

    • Good organisational and time management skills.
    • Experience and/or knowledge of working within a Quality Management System.
    • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

    Support that goes beyond the workplace

    We’re cultivating a workplace that supports not only your passion and your professional lives, but your personal life. So, you’ll find benefits that make a difference at work and at home. Such as:

    • Hybrid and Flexible working opportunities
    • Up to 35 days annual leave and 7 additional public holidays each year (pro rata)
    • Paid time off to support your Wellbeing and enable you to Volunteer in your community
    • Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
    • Progressive Family Friendly policies
    • Training & development to enable colleagues to improve their skills, competencies and knowledge to perform at their best

    Plus, many more lifestyle benefits such as 24/7 access to an online employee discount platform, credit union facilities and access to a Cycle to Work Scheme.

    Passionately you purposefully supportive

    SEPA is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and good relations in everything it does – as a community leader, as a provider and commissioner of services, and as an employer.

      Application information

      Passionately Purposeful about Scotland’s environment – and your career

      Protecting our environment, promoting our work, and supporting our people, working at SEPA means being part of an organisation that’s grounded in respect for your expertise – and your wellbeing. So you can be your best and make the biggest impact.

      We recruit solely based on merit. Our shortlisting process is conducted on an anonymous basis and, therefore, we cannot accept CV’s and covering letters. Please ensure that you include all relevant information in your application form.

      We proudly use the “Happy to Talk Flexible Working” as well as the “Disability Confident Employer” Logos and on all our job vacancies.

      Applicants with a visual impairment can request job descriptions and application forms in Braille, large print or on tape.

      For the security and wellbeing of our colleagues we invite successful candidates to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks including a Basic Disclosure Scotland check.