Seasonal Microbiologist
| Posting date: | 13 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £33,755 to £36,693 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 01 March 2026 |
| Location: | Swansea - University |
| Company: | Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 202020 |
Summary
The role
This is an entry-level role within a busy, UKAS accredited environmental analysis laboratory. You will work alongside three Microbiologists in a small, fast paced team responsible for analysing and reporting approximately 2,000 Bathing Water samples to the standards required by the European Bathing Water Directive.
Throughout this year's bathing water season, you will carry out routine analysis of bathing beach water quality samples, ensuring all samples are processed on time and to the prescribed standards. This will involve various microbiological processes including preparation & quality control of media, filtration of samples, bacterial colony identification & reporting. Accurate documentation and record-keeping are essential parts of the role, supporting both the laboratory's quality management system and its UKAS accreditation.
This is a part time position (30 hours per week Tuesday to Saturday once training is complete) and will be offered as a fixed term appointment (FTA) until 30 September 2026
To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Dai Hughes at dai.g.hughes@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Interviews will be face to face on 11 - 13 March 2026 (details of location will be shared in advance)
Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.
What you will do
In your application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using the STAR method.Previous experience in an ISO:17025 accredited analytical laboratory is desirable but not essential as full training will be given. Some previous lab experience is essential. Experience and knowledge is more important than qualifications for this role, so entry level can be with science GCSEs although graduate entry is the norm. A clear understanding and experience of laboratory quality systems. A clear understanding and experience of laboratory Health and Safety policies. The ability to work as part of a team to tight deadlines ensuring all results are accurately and efficiently reported daily. Welsh Language level requirements
Please note if you do not meet the A1 requirement i.e., ability to understand basic phrases and ability to pronounce Welsh names correctly, then NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Benefits
This role will offer a range of benefits, including:
Please keep reading
We're passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
We are committed to equal opportunities, and we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, so we make sure that our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale and annual increments are paid each year.
Unless otherwise stated in the 'Role' section of this advert, Natural Resources Wales is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Although we hold a Skilled Worker visa sponsorship licence, it applies only to specific roles that meet both the eligibility criteria and salary requirements set out by the UK Government under the Skilled Worker visa route.
We want our staff to grow professionally and personally. From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on variety of topics, stay current in their field and continue to learn as their career progresses.
We are a Bilingual organisation which complies with the Welsh Language Standards. Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW, and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills.
#TTJ
This is an entry-level role within a busy, UKAS accredited environmental analysis laboratory. You will work alongside three Microbiologists in a small, fast paced team responsible for analysing and reporting approximately 2,000 Bathing Water samples to the standards required by the European Bathing Water Directive.
Throughout this year's bathing water season, you will carry out routine analysis of bathing beach water quality samples, ensuring all samples are processed on time and to the prescribed standards. This will involve various microbiological processes including preparation & quality control of media, filtration of samples, bacterial colony identification & reporting. Accurate documentation and record-keeping are essential parts of the role, supporting both the laboratory's quality management system and its UKAS accreditation.
This is a part time position (30 hours per week Tuesday to Saturday once training is complete) and will be offered as a fixed term appointment (FTA) until 30 September 2026
To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Dai Hughes at dai.g.hughes@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Interviews will be face to face on 11 - 13 March 2026 (details of location will be shared in advance)
Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.
What you will do
- Work within an analytical section as part of a team to ensure that all samples are analysed on time and to the prescribed standards.
- Routine analysis and preparation of samples. This will involve various processes and techniques including automated analysers and manual meter reading. Management and upkeep of documentation.
- Demonstrate the characteristics required to be part of a successful team in a high-pressure environment, including self-motivation, discipline and a willingness to help your colleagues.
- Apply a thorough understanding the laboratory's quality management system and how that affects every aspect of the analytical process.
- Be aware of and comply with the laboratory's health and safety policies.
- Be committed to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy , together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post
- Be committed to your own development through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
- Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.
In your application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using the STAR method.Previous experience in an ISO:17025 accredited analytical laboratory is desirable but not essential as full training will be given. Some previous lab experience is essential. Experience and knowledge is more important than qualifications for this role, so entry level can be with science GCSEs although graduate entry is the norm. A clear understanding and experience of laboratory quality systems. A clear understanding and experience of laboratory Health and Safety policies. The ability to work as part of a team to tight deadlines ensuring all results are accurately and efficiently reported daily. Welsh Language level requirements
- Essential: Level A1 - Entry level
Please note if you do not meet the A1 requirement i.e., ability to understand basic phrases and ability to pronounce Welsh names correctly, then NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Benefits
This role will offer a range of benefits, including:
- Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97% (successful internal staff will remain in their current pension scheme)
- 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
- generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
- commitment to professional development
- health and wellbeing benefits and support
- weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose
Please keep reading
We're passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
We are committed to equal opportunities, and we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, so we make sure that our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale and annual increments are paid each year.
Unless otherwise stated in the 'Role' section of this advert, Natural Resources Wales is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Although we hold a Skilled Worker visa sponsorship licence, it applies only to specific roles that meet both the eligibility criteria and salary requirements set out by the UK Government under the Skilled Worker visa route.
We want our staff to grow professionally and personally. From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on variety of topics, stay current in their field and continue to learn as their career progresses.
We are a Bilingual organisation which complies with the Welsh Language Standards. Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW, and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills.
#TTJ