Focus on: Waste Management

There are a few job titles that I gloss over when scrolling through results pages. “Teacher” and “Recruitment Consultant” top the list – but “Waste Management” is also up there.

While it’s probably a dirty job and someone has to do it, I’m fairly certain that someone isn’t me. In the interest of research – and because there seemed a relatively high number of vacancies posted this week – I delved a bit deeper.

The majority of jobs advertised focussed on analytical chemistry roles – testing and validating incoming or outgoing waste – and determining waste treatment methods. Some expanded this role to include wider responsibilities such as waste movement and running treatment plants. Related jobs included technical sales and work in the oil & gas sector.

Industrial experience generally wasn’t essential, and academic entry requirements were fairly basic. Understandably, employers were more interested in high levels of health and safety, and attention to detail.

Most positions were advertised as temporary, but on the job training could be comprehensive and transferable – including waste legislation, health and safety, environmental and quality management systems.

Waste management could potentially give good experience for, or lead to opportunities in: analyst roles, site/operations management, logistics, health and safety, environmental testing, technical sales

Further information on a career as a hazardous waste management chemist can be found at the ACS website.

Some recently advertised positions in the UK:

chemistry graduate waste management in Milton Keynes £18k (contract)

operations chemist in Yorks&Humber £16-16.5k (4m contract)

industrial chemist in Bedfordshire £16-18k (9m contract)

reception chemist in Scotland £20-25k

reception chemist in Liverpool £20-23k (permanent)

waste chemist in Manchester £18-23k (contract)

technical sales haz-waste in the Home Counties £25k + car