Temporary Position for Chemist

We offer a 7-month temporary position for a chemist who will analyze acrylamide in vegetarian meat substitute products and develop a sample preparation method using solid phase extraction (SPE) for organometallic compounds in drinking water.

Your Role

You will analyze acrylamide in vegetarian meat substitute products using our accredited LC-MS/MS method. The project Contaminants in Meat Substitutes: A Contemporary Food Safety Perspective (CONTEMFood) includes analyses of metals, acrylamide, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in products from the Swedish, Portuguese, and Hungarian markets. The results will be used to estimate potential health risks associated with the consumption of these foods.

You will also develop a method for the separation of organometallic compounds in drinking water using solid phase extraction columns (SPE). The aim is to fractionate metal ions and organometallic compounds for subsequent analysis using ICP-MS/MS. The method is part of the project Drinking Water Analyses with CBRN Focus during Crisis and Heightened Readiness (CBRNDRIVE), where the goal is to identify unknown substances in drinking water.

The work may also involve sample preparation, sample processing, analysis, and method development within other projects or within the Swedish Food Agency's control programs. We regularly handle peanut samples, which can be problematic in cases of severe peanut allergies.

Together with your colleagues, you will be responsible for the organization’s common tasks and resources and ensure that the needs of target groups are met. You prioritize systematically, deliver according to set goals, and stay updated through continuous monitoring of the environment to adapt your work to the organization’s demands and conditions.

Unit for Natural Toxins and Metals

The Unit for Natural Toxins and Metals (NGM) belongs to the Department of Laboratory Investigation and Analysis (LUA). Within the department, there are five different units whose main tasks are to develop analytical methods, analyze various chemical substances, microbiological agents, and radioactive substances. Within the unit, methods are developed and analyses are performed for natural toxins, metals, and radioactive substances. Some activities are carried out within the contaminant control program, but an increasing share is focused on civil defense and preparedness. The department is a national reference laboratory in several areas, accredited by SWEDAC and follows ISO 17025. The department has a large and advanced instrument park.

Your Qualifications

We are looking for someone with a bachelor's degree in chemistry or equivalent education from a university or college. A master's degree in analytical chemistry is an advantage. You have knowledge in analytical chemistry and a basic understanding of analysis using LC-MS/MS and ICP-MS. Practical experience with these techniques is advantageous, as well as experience with ICP-MS/MS or working with solid phase extraction (SPE) and sample preparation. You are proficient in using Excel for calculations and data reporting. Experience in accredited operations (ISO 17025) and method development is advantageous. Previous experience with the laboratory data system LabVantage is a plus. Good knowledge of Swedish and English, both spoken and written, is a requirement.

Your Personal Qualities

We appreciate that you are driven, meticulous, and analytical in your work approach. You should also be motivated to create order, work systematically, and follow established routines.

To succeed in your work, you act responsibly, collaboratively, and in a developing manner. You are solution-focused and invite and are open to collaborations and new perspectives that improve our deliveries. You enjoy working in a team and are open to new working methods, sharing skills and lessons to strengthen our collective capability.

Welcome to Contact Us

You are welcome to contact the recruiting manager Joakim Engman. The representative for Saco-S is Stina Söderlund and for ST Anders Staffas. All can be reached via our switchboard, tel. 018-17 55 00.

The last application date is 2026-01-09. Apply via the job advertisement on Lediga jobb (livsmedelsverket.se), marking your application with the diary number 2025/04717.

More Information About the Position

Employment type: Temporary position for 7 months, full-time.

Start date: Immediate

Organizational affiliation: Department of Laboratory Investigation and Analysis

Location: Uppsala

We will make our assessment based on the information provided in the application documents, so please be clear in describing how you meet the qualifications. The application must be written in Swedish.

Before the Interview

Certificates, diplomas, and ID documents supporting your application should be brought to a possible interview.

Welcome with Your Application!

This recruitment is conducted entirely by the Swedish Food Agency. Therefore, we kindly ask recruitment companies and advertisement sellers to refrain from calling.

The Swedish Food Agency works to ensure that the food produced, sold, and served in Sweden is safe and honest, for a society where it is easy for people to eat in a healthy and sustainable way, and to ensure a safe food and drinking water supply in everyday life and crisis. Our tools are knowledge, advice, regulations, and control. We are approximately 700 employees, of which over 390 are in Uppsala and about 300 work with food control across the country.