Laboratory Analyst Microbiology - Thames Water : Job Details

This is a great opportunity to put your skills into action in our labs, where we test over 2 million samples a year to ensure the highest quality drinking water is delivered across the Thames Water region. Our laboratories play a key role in monitoring the safety and cleanliness of drinking water and ensuring waste is treated properly. Not only do we analyse samples from customers’ homes, but we also test samples from abstraction, through our sites, and into supply.Our Labs have won awards for health and safety, and our teams are committed to maintaining these exceptional standards.What you’ll be doing as a Laboratory AnalystOn a day-to-day basis, you'll be responsible for analysing samples in a defined area to meet the standards set by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), the Environment Agency, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, and relevant Health and Safety Executive standards.

• Producing, recording, maintaining, and verifying data within a UKAS accredited laboratory.
• Conducting tests for Coliforms, Enterococci, Clostridia, chlorophyll, algae and organisms in sewage sludge, taste & odour, flow cytometry, and MALDI TOF.
• Running a variety of automated and manual laboratory techniques.
• Performing basic maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Working with quality management systems to ISO 17025 and handling automated data.

Location: Reading, Spencer House.Working hours: 38 hours per week.This role involves a shift pattern of 4 weeks of day shifts (8 am to 4 pm or 9 am to 5 pm), followed by 2 weeks of late shifts (2 pm to 10 pm).Additionally, once every 5-6 weeks, you may be required to work weekends.There will also be 2 weeks per year when you will be on call-out duty.What you should bring to the role:

• Microbiology experience or a background in biology is essential.
• Knowledge of the flow cytometry method would be advantageous.
• Passion for working in a laboratory and comfort in performing repetitive tasks.
• Commitment to exceptional customer service and being a strong team player.

What’s in it for you?

• This role will be paid £30,494 per annum.
• 24 days holiday per year increasing to 28 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays) 
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
• Once a year Personal Medical Assessments.
• Wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your wellbeing.

Who are we?At Thames Water, our purpose is crystal clear - to deliver life’s essential service so our customers, communities and planet can thrive.Water is life’s great leveller. Every living thing needs it, every single day. From people to plants, birds to bees, farms to factories, we all need it to thrive, and we’re committed to taking care of it for us all.But keeping water flowing is becoming harder. From scorching summers to wetter winters, extreme weather affects everything from our pipes to our local rivers. We need to keep millions more kettles boiling, public services operating, washing machines spinning, showers running and more, so every drop is more precious than ever. Are you ready to play your part?Working at Thames WaterAt Thames Water we recognise that people are at the heart of our business. To help us succeed in providing life's essential service, we need a range of skills and capabilities, representative of society throughout our business.We seek to attract and retain a cultural mix of people who can offer different but complementary attitudes, values, talents, and knowledge. We understand the importance of appreciating and harnessing the unique skills, experiences, background, and differences that each individual brings.Our over-arching diversity and inclusion aim is to ensure Thames Water is a diverse and inclusive great place to work. We encourage applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process.Find out more about working at Thames Water.When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business, meet colleagues and earn some extra money along the way.Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.