Research Fellow (Principal Analyst LC-MS, Drug Control Centre)

About us

This is a unique opportunity to join the Drug Control Centre (DCC) as a senior analyst leading the LC-MS team. The DCC is the only WADA accredited laboratory in the UK and is a specialist laboratory undertaking sports testing. The DCC played a key role in the bio-analytical sports testing programmes for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Cricket World Cup 2019, UEFA Euros 2020 Football Competition and Triathlon World Series 2021 and the Glasgow 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The role holder will contribute to existing analytical laboratory based research in method development within the DCC research portfolio as well as develop their own research portfolio as appropriate including, the development of projects for funding from external bodies.

About the role

The role holder will provide high quality analytical expertise and support for sports testing using LC-MS within the accredited laboratory environment of the DCC and King’s Forensics, based in the Department of Analytical, Environmental & Forensic Science.  The post-holder will have recognised expertise in the analysis of small molecules.

The role holder will contribute and lead on certain aspects of existing research in method development within the DCC. They will also supervise research students to develop further their own research initiatives. Application to funding from external bodies is an expectation.

The role will include oversight of colleagues located in the DCC LC-MS team to provide expertise and analytical knowledge in a well-executed and timely manner – complying with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) International Standard for Laboratories (ISL) and UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) requirements, as well as university policies (e.g., health and safety), funders’ terms and conditions (such as UK Anti-Doping) and adopting Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) at all times.

The post holder will contribute to the delivery of teaching and assessment around analytical science particularly within King’s Forensics and Department AEFS masters programmes.

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

• Relevant postdoctoral qualification (PhD), or equivalent, plus substantial work experience in a relevant analytical/ scientific post.
• Experience in developing analytical methods using established validation protocols for routine and confirmatory work
• Evidence of writing high quality reports covering quality standards or audits of analytical processes including for publication
• Experience of managing research projects within an accredited laboratory setting including student supervision
• Authoritative knowledge of analytical practices, methods and procedures applied to LC-MS technologies with a full understanding of the theory underpinning this.
• In-depth functional and technical knowledge in sports testing and laboratory practice to a high standard, as detailed in the Job Description
• Expertise in research planning, by having carried out tasks and projects and adjusted plans in the light of potential and actual problems.

Desirable criteria

• Trained auditor in relevant scientific area
• Proven track record in anti-doping in a relevant analytical post with management experience.
• A commitment to professional development and a willingness to learn new Analytical techniques. 

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