Lead Analyst – (GC Technologies)

King's College London, United Kingdom

Updated: 7 days ago
Location: Waterloo, ENGLAND
Deadline: 15 May 2024

Job id: 088725. Salary: £43,205 - £47,978 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 30 April 2024. Closing date: 15 May 2024.

Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: Analytics, Environmental & Forensics.

Contact details:Dr Rodrigo Aguilera. [email protected]

Location: Waterloo Campus. Category: Professional & Support Services.


About us

The Drug Control Centre sits within King’s Forensics® an academic grouping within the Department of Analytical, Environmental & Forensic Sciences (AEFS), within IPS, the Faculty of Life Science & Medicine with unique resource provided by three laboratories accredited to UKAS Quality Standard (ISO/IEC 17025).

The Drug Control Centre (DCC) is the only World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory in the UK and played a key role in the Anti-doping bio-analytical testing programmes for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Glasgow 2022 Commonwealth Games, Cricket World Cup 2019, UEFA Euros 2020 Football Competition and recently the Rugby Six Nations tournament.

The DCC is accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) across a range of sports, as a testing laboratory, analysing both domestic and international athletes in accordance with WADA's Prohibited List of substances.

The DCC continues to be at the forefront of advances in anti-doping science and protecting both the integrity of sport and the health of athletes. The DCC have a Home Office License to hold, supply and produce substances included in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.


About the role

The Drug Control Centre is seeking an exceptional individual to join the scientific team providing high quality analytical support for Anti-Doping services and research work.  As the Lead Analyst you will have superior knowledge and understanding of gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) required to manage the day-to-day routine analysis of samples ensuring that all UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accreditation requirements are met and maintained.  

Used to leading by example the post holder will work closely with the Principal Analyst (GC-technologies) to command a good work ethic and to be an advocate for GLP on all occasions. Your work will be driven by high quality standards and as Lead Analyst you will be a strong advocate for quality assurance and the maintenance of records. Having attention to detail as an important attribute.

As a recognised expert with specialist analytical expertise, preferably in the analysis of exogenous steroids and other prohibited drugs like stimulants and narcotics etc, you will be competent in providing advice and guidance and, where appropriate, training on policies and processes as they relate to the GC-MS screens. You will have advanced technical knowledge of GC-MS instrumentation and competent trouble shooting abilities.

You will be organised and efficient in your approach to work and professional in dealing with customers and colleagues alike. You will have proven experience in the management of other analysts and team leadership skills.

You will have excellent time keeping skills and be accomplished in working to tight deadlines, producing reports to a high standard as needed. 

If you recognise yourself in this role descriptor we would like to hear from you and welcome your application.

This is a full-time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract.


About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

  • First degree in a science subject preferably Chemistry, biochemistry or other related discipline I natural science
  • Significant laboratory experience in gas-chromatography – mass spectrometry concerned with the analysis of prohibited substances such as anabolic steroids, stimulants, narcotics etc
  • Experience of working with biological samples (such as urine) and knowledge of sample preparation methods such as SPE and LLE
  • Demonstratable expertise in method development of the detection and quantitation of small molecules and an understanding of their chemistries
  • Knowledge of quality assurance and the requirements of working in an ISO:IEC 17025  (2017) accredited laboratory
  • Experience of leading a team and being responsible for laboratory performance within the required timescale.
  • Knowledge and proven experience in method validation and the responsibility for standard operating procedures on behalf of the Laboratory for any novel findings.
  • Experience of training analysts in the GC-MS analysis of samples and the operation and maintenance of the analytical equipment.
  • Experience in trouble shooting and the basic maintenance of GC-MS and GC-MS/MS instruments

    • Desirable criteria

  • Experience of working in a WADA accredited Laboratory 
  • A PhD in a relevant area of analytical science
  • Experience of research and/or innovation in analytical science and the ability to identification of any “gaps” in current methods and implement of improvements. 

    • Full details of the role and the skills and experience required, can be found in the attached job description which provided on the next page.

    We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

    We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

    We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

    To find out how our managers review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit ’ pages.


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