Analytical Chemist


Company:	Manpower UK Limited
Salary:	£42,000 to £42,000 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Wantage, OX12 9BP
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	17 Sept 2026
Closing date:	17 Oct 2026

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Summary

Are you an experienced Analytical Chemist looking for an opportunity to apply your technical expertise within a growing R&D and manufacturing environment?

We are recruiting for an Analytical Chemist to join a specialist Packaging Sciences team, providing analytical chemistry expertise across products, manufacturing operations, suppliers and customers.

This is a varied and technically focused role where you will play a key part in investigating technical challenges, generating high-quality analytical data and providing clear recommendations to support problem solving and business decisions.

The Role

As an Analytical Chemist, you will:

Provide analytical chemistry expertise and technical support across the business.

Lead and coordinate investigations relating to manufacturing, customer complaints and technical issues.

Develop and improve analytical methods and laboratory processes.

Carry out investigations involving food and water analysis, quality and process support, contaminants and foreign body identification, food contact compliance, taint and odour assessments and other analytical chemistry projects.

Use a range of laboratory techniques to produce accurate, reliable and traceable analytical data.

Interpret results and prepare clear technical reports, conclusions and recommendations.

Maintain laboratory equipment, ensuring it is calibrated, serviced and fit for purpose.

Manage sample workflows and laboratory records, maintaining full traceability.

Contribute to laboratory quality, housekeeping and continuous improvement.

Provide technical guidance, training and support to colleagues and apprentices.

You will ideally have:

A BSc in Chemistry or equivalent qualification.

Previous experience working within an analytical chemistry or food chemistry laboratory.

Practical experience using Ion Chromatography (IC) and ICP-OES - essential.

Good general laboratory skills, including wet chemistry and volumetric analysis.

Strong analytical and investigative skills, with the ability to interpret complex technical information.

Good written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present scientific data.

Good IT skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office.

A methodical approach to laboratory records, sample management and traceability.

A strong commitment to safe working practices and laboratory standards.

Desirable Experience

Experience with any of the following would be advantageous:

GCMS

FTIR

Contract laboratory environments

Food packaging or food production

Protective metal coatings

Mentoring or training junior laboratory colleagues

A higher degree specialising in analytical chemistry or a related discipline

Additional European language skills

If you have strong analytical chemistry experience, particularly IC and ICP-OES, and are looking for your next challenge, we'd be keen to hear from you!

If you receive suspicious outreach claiming to be from us, please contact us via the ManpowerGroup website.

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