Client Liaison Scientist

Job Description

Salary - £34,890
Work Type - Onsite
Job Location - Lingley Mere - Laboratories, Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.

Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 7.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

The Role:

To work within the laboratory’s Client Team reporting to the Production Manager and working under the supervision of the Senior Client Liaison Scientist. The designated point of contact for all analysis requests, incident management and customer queries/complaints.

Able to provide a level of scientific support with regard to analytical techniques undertaken in the laboratory and explain to customer the limitations of the analysis provided. Team provide support to laboratory teams and production managers to deliver a robust analytical service.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Customer & Project Ownership: Acts as the main point of contact for internal and external customers, managing projects end‑to‑end from request guidance and sample handling through to results reporting and complaint resolution.
• Technical & Regulatory Expertise: Provides expert advice on analytical suitability, sample matrices, method limitations, H&S risks, and stays current with changing regulatory and ISO 17025 requirements, including participation in UKAS audits.
• Quality & Performance Management: Maintains the client quality system, monitors laboratory performance against SLAs, scorecards, and customer expectations, and prepares data for customer liaison meetings.
• Operational Planning & Liaison: Plans and organises daily and short‑ to medium‑term workload, liaising with analytical teams to ensure efficient project delivery, timely analysis, and accurate reporting, including incident management.
• Influence & Communication: Interprets and reports analytical results clearly, influences laboratory teams to meet turnaround targets, and communicates effectively with customers and internal stakeholders.

What We Are Looking For:

• A minimum of a level 3 qualification in a relevant scientific discipline in line with entry to Membership of a relevant scientific professional body (RSC for example)
• A thorough understanding of the regulations to which the department operates – including ISO 17025, MCERTS, DWTS and ISO 5667
• Good communication skills
• High level of IT literacy to include laboratory systems
• Basic understanding of, or experience in, analytical techniques used in an environmental laboratory
• Maintenance of a fully compliant CPD
• Financial awareness

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.