LC MS Analyst - PFAS Lead

Join to apply for the LC MS Analyst - PFAS Lead role at RPS
. This is a permanent, full-time role based in Bedford, operating 9 am – 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

We are a high‑calibre scientific team of Analysts, Chemists and Technicians that operate from purpose‑built laboratory facilities with a long history of providing expert advice and analytical solutions to sectors including water, utilities, agrochemicals and defence. Our laboratories have an international reputation for solving complex and novel analytical problems and delivering large scale monitoring programmes such as the UK’s Chemical Investigations Programme.

The Bedford Laboratory houses a state‑of‑the‑art analytical facility renowned for ultra‑trace complex analysis of emerging and priority pollutants. This laboratory was among the first in the UK to gain UKAS accreditation for PFAS analysis after the Buncefield incident in 2005. The laboratory comprises around 100 scientists and support staff and is equipped with the latest instrumentation to measure extremely low pollutant levels in environmental matrices.

As a key member of the Laboratories business, your role as an LC Analyst is critical to helping us conduct investigations and support clients in complying with environmental quality standards (EQS) and maximum residue limits (MRLs). You will collaborate with clients to design tailored analytical programmes to meet regulatory needs, leverage state‑of‑the‑art instrumentation, and provide analytical support to develop new methods and optimise existing analyses to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance.

• Lead a team of extraction chemists to ensure timely processing of PFAS samples across environmental matrices.
• Run and schedule methods for identification and quantification of pesticides, priority pollutants and emerging contaminants, primarily using LC‑MS/MS.
• Learn and develop skills in GC and C‑IC related to PFAS analyses.
• Follow established procedures to perform trace organic analysis on a wide range of samples/matrices.
• Operate LC‑MS instrumentation (triple quadrupole and single quadrupole) and other laboratory equipment as required.
• Perform method development and validations to maintain and expand UKAS accreditations and capabilities.
• Work with extraction staff to ensure samples are prepared for analysis according to business requirements.
• Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting of LC‑MS/MS instrumentation.
• Raise QC queries and non‑conforming work and follow up investigations as necessary.
• Prepare samples, solutions and reagents following standard laboratory formulas and procedures.
• Process and interpret analytical results.

• Manual handling
• Handling chemicals and solvents
• Handling potentially biohazardous samples
• Handling of foods (e.g., nuts)

• Experience working within an accredited analytical testing laboratory, ideally within the environmental sector.
• Experience with single and triple quadrupole LC‑MS systems operating in both ESI and APCI ionisation modes.
• Use of Agilent Chem Station and Mass Hunter software would be desirable.
• Experience of sample preparation techniques e.g. liquid:liquid extraction, solid phase extraction, QuEChERS etc.
• Experience of conducting routine maintenance and troubleshooting of LC based systems.
• Demonstrated flexibility in analytical approach and ability to cope with high throughput and varied analysis in a fast‑paced environment.
• Minimum of a 2:1 BSc in Chemistry or closely related subject or equivalent industrial experience.
• Excellent time management skills, attention to detail and ability to cope under pressure.

A personal development plan and a transparent career pathway puts you in the driving seat of your career and you’ll be supported as far as you want to go. A career here is far from ordinary. Here you’re not a number, you are part of the solution.

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