Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Technologist

The James Hutton Institute is a globally respected research organisation dedicated to delivering innovative and transformative science for the sustainable management of land, crops, and natural resources. As we continue to invest in state-of-the-art facilities and expand our research into biochemical sciences, we are seeking a talented and motivated LC/MS Scientist to join our Environmental and Biochemical Sciences (EBS) team.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in a collaborative environment, supporting both scientific discoveries and industry partnerships. You will play a crucial role in managing our LC-MS suite, representing a recent significant investment of over £2M, and contribute to world-leading research in metabolomics for the bioeconomy and sustainable agriculture.

Key Responsibilities

As an LC-MS Scientist at the James Hutton Institute, you will:

• Lead method development, troubleshooting, and data analytics for generating metabolomic data.
• Oversee and support the centralisation of the LC-MS suite in the James Hutton Institute, ensuring high-quality standards and performance.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of scientists across the Institute, providing technical expertise in experimental design and data generation.
• Contribute to research proposal writing and the production of publication-ready data for both scientific research and commercial partnerships.
• Actively engage in research projects, including the James Hutton Innovation flagships the Advanced Plant Growth Centre (APGC), the International Barley Hub (IBH) and the BBSRC/Innovate UK supported National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC).
• Develop and deliver LC-MS analysis services to support both academic and industry-focused research.

What We Offer

• Generous holiday entitlement up to 40.5 days a year, with limited carryover and guaranteed time off for Christmas.
• Employer contribution of 15% in a personal pension plan, with employee contribution flexibility.
• 35-hour working week with self-managed hours and flexible working options.
• Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for personal and professional support.
• Participation in the James Hutton Group Life Scheme.

What We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven expertise in LC-MS technology, particularly with Orbitrap and other advanced mass spectrometry systems.
• Experience with metabolomics data generation, including metabolite isolation, identification, and quantification, using software such as Mass Hunter and Profiler.
• A strong foundation in analytical (bio)chemistry with an established track record of applying LC-MS technologies to bioeconomy-related sciences.
• Experience with post-acquisition data processing techniques and troubleshooting.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt methods to meet the needs of diverse research projects.
• A solid understanding of the bioeconomy and its application to agriculture and sustainable food systems.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ideally, evidence of scientific publications or other outputs demonstrating your achievements in metabolomics or related fields.
• Ideally a person that has experience in running a suite of chromatographs and mass spectrometers.

About Us

The James Hutton Institute is committed to advancing science for the benefit of society and the environment. We carry out both fundamental and applied research to help meet the future challenges of agriculture, climate change, and the transition to a sustainable bioeconomy. Our multidisciplinary teams collaborate with academic, industrial, and governmental partners to deliver innovative solutions for food security, environmental sustainability, and carbon neutrality.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your relevant experience and why you're interested in the role using the 'Apply Now' button.  The post will close on Monday, 16 December 2024.

For more information about the role or the James Hutton Institute, please visit https://www.hutton.ac.uk/ or contact Derek Stewart at derek.stewart@hutton.ac.uk  (+44 (0)1382 568778) for an informal chat about the role.

Additional Notes

• Please note the minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa is currently £38,700.00.  If the advertised salary for this posts falls below this threshold, we regret to advise that we may not be able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship to a non-UK citizen for this role.  Applicants who do not meet the conditions to be sponsored as per the UK governments page (https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/when-you-can-be-paid-less) will need to demonstrate an alternative right to work.