Laboratory Analyst

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 Analyst

In this role, you'll play a key part in ensuring high-quality analysis of samples within a designated area, following the standards set by UKAS, the Environment Agency, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, and Health and Safety Executive guidelines.

• Producing, recording, maintaining, and verifying data in a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
• Carrying out tests for Coliforms, Enterococci, Clostridia, chlorophyll, algae, organisms in sewage sludge, taste & odour, flow cytometry, and MALDI TOF.
• Using a mix of automated and manual laboratory techniques.
• Perform routine maintenance on laboratory equipment.
• Working with quality management systems to ISO 17025 and managing 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).  

What you should bring to the role 

• Experience working in laboratories is essential
• Background in microbiology or biology would be a great advantage
• We’re looking for someone who enjoys working in a lab environment and feels comfortable with repetitive tasks.
• Commitment to exceptional customer service and being a strong team player.

What’s in it for you? 

• Hourly Pay rate: £15,43 per hour.
• Expenses: Excluded.
• Length of assignment:  4 months, with the possibility of an extension or the role becoming permanent.
• Hours: 38 hours per week.

Please note you will be on assignment at Thames Water via Pertemps.

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 Water

At 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 overarching 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.