29th May Graduate Jobroll

A selection of opportunities requiring no or minimal experience.

Future Science in North London is looking for a graduate with a 2.1 or higher with a strong interest in scientific publishing to train as an assistant editor. Duties will include overseeing the peer review process, commissioning content and networking.

A Milton Keynes-based company operating in the food industry is hiring recent graduates (2011/2012) to train as graduate account development assistants (£22-25k). Duties include assisting sales support, liaising with clients and working with their business development team.

A water quality consultancy in Hertfordshire seeks a graduate water quality consultant (£17k) to visit client sites across the South East. Duties include sampling, analysing and treating water and related structures. Full driving licence required.

Oxford Nanopore seeks a newly qualified PhD with experience of biomolecular simulation to join them as a molecular modeller. The role will guide their protein engineering and, under guidance, make models of unknown proteins.

In partnership with Viridor, the Centre for Energy and Resource Technology at Cranfield University are offering a 2-year MTech in Waste and Resource Management (£10.5k tax-free bursary p.a.). It aims to “emphasise the understanding and exploitation of advanced technologies and management disciplines in relation to the waste sector” – which has been identified as a skills shortage area.

Finally, for a graduate with one year’s technical experience, preferably in pharmaceuticals, Shire Pharmaceutical is offering the position of patent searcher, in Basingstoke. With the opportunity to later train as a patent attorney, this entry-level position involves providing technical information to clients, based on literature searches.

A chemical saved my bacon

Unrelated to jobs, but doing the rounds on the chemistry blogs and Twitter, is the idea to develop a pro-chemistry ad campaign. Conceived in a post by Paul on the Chembark blog, it aims to “come up with examples where chemistry and chemicals have helped society” and “educate the public with a small, digestible morsel of the good of chemistry”.

A number of great ads have already been created, including by Sam at Everyday Scientist, Klaas Wynne and commenter MRW. Here’s my contribution:

Sources include: “facts” from Wikipedia; an article from the University of Minnesota; a recent journal article on nitrite levels in vegetables (admittedly, only with access to the abstract); and for research impartiality,  an article from Natural News. Photo courtesy of Mrs LabMonkey, with no copyright restrictions (the one-off fee of a bacon sandwich has already been paid...)

21st May Graduate Jobroll

Either it’s the wrong time of year for graduate jobs, or there really are slim pickings at the moment. This, coupled with low starting salaries (pretty much unchanged on salaries 10 years ago), is worrying. To get the Graduate Jobroll started, here are a selection of positions requiring either no experience, or where an industrial placement may be sufficient.

Novartis are currently advertising their 2.5 year graduate programme (manufacturing chemist) (£25-35k). Training to become a process manager, responsible for the manufacture of API and intermediates, the first 18 months will be based in the North East. MSc or PhD required; additional languages advantageous.

Graduates interested in regulatory affairs may be interested in this opportunity for trainee graduate scientists (£16-18k) in London. The role involves supporting the Quality & Regulatory Affairs manager in “achieving product compliance goals”.

A Nottingham-based company is looking for a lab technician (£18-22k) to work in their product testing division, testing materials, processes and finished products (textiles). Graduate with excellent Excel skills desired.

Up to five chemical risk management staff roles are available at Risk & Policy Analysts in Norfolk, including researcher, consultant are more senior positions. RPA provide consultancy support to the EC and industry on matters such as REACH, and the job spec for the junior roles include literature searching, data analysis and report writing. Degree required; postgrad degree and second European language advantageous.

A sealants/adhesives supplier in the South West is looking for a graduate technologist/chemist (£18-20k) to help create epoxy and polyurethane resins. MSc in Materials Science or Polymer Technology required.

 

Finally, a risk management company in Buckinghamshire are seeking part-time home-based workers to become COSHH risk assessors (£16-18k pro rata). After completing a training programme, the job will involve writing COSHH assessments for around 20h/week. Immediately available candidates are encouraged to apply.

17th May Jobroll

A Scottish company that conducts materials analysis for multinational clients is recruiting a materials scientist (£20-30k) and a senior materials scientist (£35-50k). The junior role will involve materials analysis using SEM, FTIR and EDX; the senior role includes additional interaction with customers in understanding problems, designing work packages and delivering solutions. Both roles require experience in the microanalysis tools above, with experience of electronic device materials being desirable.

Xaar Plc- a manufacturer of industrial inkjet printheads – is looking for a materials engineer at their Cambridge site. The role involves liaising with product design and development teams and indentfying material test methods and strategies for new and existing products. Experience in some of these areas: injection molding, adhesives, metallisation, ceramics, PVD/CVD processes, extreme environments.

 

Oxfordshire-based Cella Energy – a spin-out from the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UCL and Oxford Uni – develops hydrogen storage materials. A research scientist position has just closed, but their careers page indicates more jobs may be forthcoming in both the UK and US (including electrospinning specialist, colloid chemist and coating specialists). One to bookmark?

Sasol Technology UK conducts research into hetero- and homogenous catalysis in St Andrews, Scotland. They are hiring a research scientist into the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst research group to develop an understanding in the field of nanoparticle synthesis and their application to this field. PhD, experience with metal colloids or nanoparticles and ability to set up an experimental programme required.

Finally, in a case of remarkable timing, the University of Birmingham is advertising an MSc in Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Management. The 1-year (full-time) or 2-year (part-time) course starts in October and aims to address the global skills shortage in this area. Requires a 2:1 in a relevant science subject.