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Natural History Museum
Analytical Chemistry Technician
London Hybrid 0-2 yrs exp Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos 1,745 employees
Quantitative Elemental AnalysisICP-OES/AESICP-MSOrganic Elemental AnalysisDirect Mercury Analysis
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, or a related field. Experience in an analytical chemistry laboratory with a strong understanding of quantitative elemental analysis and sample preparation is required.
Job Description
About Us
We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website.
Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things.
We employ 1100 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world.
Diversity and inclusion matter to us.
Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment.
We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.
About The Role
The Analysis Platform sits within Science Innovation Platforms (SIPs) at the NHM, providing advanced analytical facilities to in-house researchers and external users, both academic and commercial. The Bulk Chemistry team prepares and analyses samples using a wide variety of techniques.
The Analytical Chemistry Technician will support the Analytical Chemistry Specialist in working on samples processed by the Bulk Chemistry team. The role holder will work across our bulk analytical instruments, including ICP-OES/AES, ICP-MS, organic elemental analysis (e.g. CHNS), direct mercury analysis (DMA), and vibrational spectroscopy analysis (e.g. FTIR). The role holder will also prepare geological, environmental, and biological samples for analysis, using techniques including microwave-assisted digestion and fusion. The role provides an opportunity for a person interested in analytical research to gain exposure to, and develop a wide variety of techniques while learning practical skills.
About You
We are looking for a motivated, proactive person with experience in using analytical instruments for quantitative elemental analysis. You will have a Master's degree in Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, or a related discipline, and experience working in an analytical chemistry laboratory. You will have a strong understanding of the principles of analytical chemistry, and knowledge of sample preparation techniques for bulk elemental analysis. You will have experience in the collection, processing, and organisation of analytical data. You will be a good communicator and effective team player.
Thriving at the Museum: the way we work
We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.
Find out more here
What We Offer
The Museum supports flexible working however, due to the nature of this role the work pattern will be at least 80% on site.
How To Apply
If this sounds like you, please apply below by clicking on Apply for job.
Please note that as part of our commitment to anonymised shortlisting, panels do not view CVs during the recruitment process. If you choose to upload your CV, our system will automatically pull information from your CV into our application form. We advise you to double-check your application form data before submitting as the tool may interpret CVs differently.
Closing date: 21 August 2026 at 23:59
Interviews expected: w/c 14th September 2026
Please note that this role qualifies for Museum sponsorship. Whilst we would still expect the successful postholder to have valid right to work in the UK at the point of starting the role, the Museum can support in obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role to apply for future or continued right to work in the UK. Please contact our Recruitment Team at hrteam@nhm.ac.uk if you have any further queries regarding this.
We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website.
Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things.
We employ 1100 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world.
Diversity and inclusion matter to us.
Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment.
We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.
About The Role
The Analysis Platform sits within Science Innovation Platforms (SIPs) at the NHM, providing advanced analytical facilities to in-house researchers and external users, both academic and commercial. The Bulk Chemistry team prepares and analyses samples using a wide variety of techniques.
The Analytical Chemistry Technician will support the Analytical Chemistry Specialist in working on samples processed by the Bulk Chemistry team. The role holder will work across our bulk analytical instruments, including ICP-OES/AES, ICP-MS, organic elemental analysis (e.g. CHNS), direct mercury analysis (DMA), and vibrational spectroscopy analysis (e.g. FTIR). The role holder will also prepare geological, environmental, and biological samples for analysis, using techniques including microwave-assisted digestion and fusion. The role provides an opportunity for a person interested in analytical research to gain exposure to, and develop a wide variety of techniques while learning practical skills.
About You
We are looking for a motivated, proactive person with experience in using analytical instruments for quantitative elemental analysis. You will have a Master's degree in Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, or a related discipline, and experience working in an analytical chemistry laboratory. You will have a strong understanding of the principles of analytical chemistry, and knowledge of sample preparation techniques for bulk elemental analysis. You will have experience in the collection, processing, and organisation of analytical data. You will be a good communicator and effective team player.
Thriving at the Museum: the way we work
We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.
Find out more here
What We Offer
- 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
- Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 - 10%)
- Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
- Life insurance
- Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
- Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
- We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
- Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sites and other national treasures. For more details, visit https://www.cssc.co.uk
- Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi
The Museum supports flexible working however, due to the nature of this role the work pattern will be at least 80% on site.
How To Apply
If this sounds like you, please apply below by clicking on Apply for job.
Please note that as part of our commitment to anonymised shortlisting, panels do not view CVs during the recruitment process. If you choose to upload your CV, our system will automatically pull information from your CV into our application form. We advise you to double-check your application form data before submitting as the tool may interpret CVs differently.
Closing date: 21 August 2026 at 23:59
Interviews expected: w/c 14th September 2026
Please note that this role qualifies for Museum sponsorship. Whilst we would still expect the successful postholder to have valid right to work in the UK at the point of starting the role, the Museum can support in obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role to apply for future or continued right to work in the UK. Please contact our Recruitment Team at hrteam@nhm.ac.uk if you have any further queries regarding this.
Education
Postgraduate Degree
Skills
Quantitative Elemental AnalysisICP-OES/AESICP-MSOrganic Elemental AnalysisDirect Mercury AnalysisVibrational SpectroscopyFTIRMicrowave-assisted DigestionFusionSample PreparationData OrganizationAnalytical Chemistry
About Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. More than 80 million objects spanning billions of years are in our care. We welcome more than five million visitors to our galleries annually, and 16 million visitors to our websites. Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/jobs Stay up to date with Museum news and events on our website: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/ And on social media: https://facebook.com/naturalhistorymuseum https://twitter.com/NHM_London https://instagram/natural_history_museum https://www.tiktok.com/@its_nhm https://youtube.com/naturalhistorymuseum
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