Research Chemist- Stable Isotopes

Salary - £50,447 - £53,535 Permanent, full or part-time (>0.8 FTE) We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.

UKCEH is a leading independent research institute with over 600 scientists studying how the natural world works. We take a connected approach across land, water and air to understand environmental systems and build resilience for people and the planet.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Chemist specialising in light stable isotopes (C, H, N, O & S) to lead the stable isotope analysis in the Analytical Chemistry team in Lancaster, within the acclaimed Environmental Pressures and Responses Group. This multidisciplinary team is at the forefront of understanding how pollution, land‑use change, and climate pressures affect ecosystems. Working across air, land, and water, we generate high‑quality evidence that directly informs action on environmental change.

We are seeking a driven and experienced stable isotope specialist with strong, published, expertise in environmental applications who is motivated by both scientific excellence and real‑world impact. In this role, you will work in close collaboration with colleagues across UKCEH and the wider scientific community, helping to identify emerging research challenges and shaping compelling ideas that attract funding. We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who are excited by the funding and partnership‑building aspects of research.

You will enjoy seeking out opportunities for collaboration, developing research ideas, writing grant applications, and responding to tenders. Whether through advancing laboratory methodologies, building on existing professional networks, or generating fundable ideas rooted in PhD‑level or applied research, you will be resourceful, investigative, and motivated to generate income and impact.

In this role, you will thrive if you are ideas‑driven, collaborative, and proactive, with a genuine curiosity for solving complex scientific problems. Comfortable working across multiple projects, you will bring a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and personal ownership, alongside the creativity to develop and implement novel analytical approaches and workflows. Innovation is actively encouraged, and your contributions will directly influence the direction and capability of the team.

Our isotope laboratory has recently benefited from major investment in state‑of‑the‑art instrumentation, significantly enhancing our analytical capabilities. The lab is equipped for a wide range of isotopic analyses, including bulk material analysis (EA‑IRMS), trace gas detection (Precon‑IRMS), dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen (Iso‑TOC), and compound‑specific analysis (GC‑C‑IRMS). We also use advanced cavity ring‑down spectroscopy for precise measurement of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in water, vegetation, and other samples – providing a powerful platform for cutting‑edge, cross‑disciplinary research.

• Lead and develop the Stable Isotope Facility, raising its profile within UKCEH and the wider research community, while identifying opportunities to expand isotope applications into new sectors.
• Generate income through grant applications, research bids and commercial tenders, building new scientific and business opportunities.
• Drive the development, validation and implementation of innovative analytical methods, ensuring robust SOPs and high‑quality scientific standards.
• Deliver and support high‑impact scientific outputs, contributing analytical expertise to publications, reports, presentations and other knowledge products.
• Oversee laboratory operations, ensuring data quality, ISO 17025 compliance, COSHH requirements, internal audits, equipment development and safe facility management.
• Line manage, mentor and develop laboratory staff, fostering technical excellence, collaboration, resilience and a high‑performance culture.

• PhD in Environmental Chemistry, or equivalent relevant qualification and/or substantial professional experience in a related laboratory environment.
• A strong…