Opportunities

Emerging Chemical Contaminants Lab – Research Assistant

Department: Environmental Research Group (ERG), School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine
Location: White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ
Salary: £22.36 per hour

Job Summary

An exciting new opportunity has arisen in the Environmental Research Group (ERG), to join our Emerging Chemical Contaminants (ECC) Team as a Research Assistant carrying out vital lab work for environmental pollution projects.

The ECC Team works to further the understanding of the sources, risks and impacts of new or emerging chemical contaminants in the environment. The Research Assistant will support the team in the processing and analysis of river and wastewater samples to determine the presence of chemicals of emerging concern (CECs), such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). You can read more about our work and projects here: Emerging Chemical Contaminants

The post holder will play a critical role in the delivery of the ECC Team’s commercial projects. In particular, the post holder will manage delivery of sample analysis on a national sampling campaign and have opportunities to provide support on environmental sampling and citizen science-based projects.

Duties and responsibilities

The main duties of the post will include:

• Co-ordination of laboratory analysis in line with project aims and deadlines.
• Operate and maintain analytical instruments for sample analysis.
• Analytical method development and validation.
• Log samples that have been delivered for analysis and assist in the preparation of sampling bottles and equipment for field sites.
• Sample preparation including filtration and solid phase extraction.
• Assist with data analysis, visualisation and interpretation of results.
• Undertake essential duties as part of the lab team: cleaning, sampling prep, maintenance and audits of samples, when necessary.
• Regularly update and maintain project data sets.
• Comply with the College, Division, and Unit safety practices and attend courses on safety when appropriate.
• Other duties as may be deemed reasonable by Head of group as well as Head of Division/Department/Section.

Essential requirements

You will be expected to demonstrate the following:

• Educated to an undergraduate level;

Experience and abilities:

• Analytical techniques for chemical compounds in environmental samples, ideally experience with wastewater;
• Previous knowledge and research experience in analytical chemistry;
• Routine, high-throughput analysis of chemicals, (desired but not essential);
• Experience in the review, analysis and interpretation of LC-MS datasets;
• Knowledge of best-practice use of lab equipment, familiarity with standard operating procedures and general lab safety;
• Proven numerical skills with high level of attention to detail;
• An interest in water contamination and public/environmental health;
• The postholder will also have good time management skills and a flexible attitude towards work.

Further information

This is a contracted position for an ongoing basis at 5-days a week (with minimum contracting until end of July 2024, and a high likelihood of extension until end of March 2025). The post holder will be based with the Environmental Research Group at Imperial College London’s White City Campus.

Further information can be obtained from Chrys Christy (she/her) or Valentina Lotti (she/her).

Equal Opportunity Employment

Imperial College London is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination.

The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best.

The organisation - in providing goods and/or services and/or facilities - is also committed against unlawful discrimination of customers or the public.

If you require reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process, please let us know when you send in your application.

How to apply

Please submit a completed Research Assistant Application Form (DOC) along with the current CV to c.christy@imperial.ac.uk.