Job Title: Senior Analytical Chemist Area: Field laboratory Location: Kampala, with rotation to Buliisa District Travel: Overseas training travel required Job summary: The Senior Analytical Chemist leads the analytical bench of a new laboratory supporting a multi-year reservoir tracer programme. The role delivers high-quality analysis, reporting and collaboration with technical teams, ensuring the highest standards of accuracy, efficiency and safety. It is a hands-on instrument role carrying lead responsibility, not a supervisory or production-chemistry role. The laboratory analyses chemical tracers in produced water and crude oil at trace level, on benchtop GC-MS instrumentation, with a throughput of several thousand samples a year and a one-week turnaround from receipt. Key responsibilities • Sample analysis. Conduct detailed analysis of oil and water reservoir samples using the appropriate laboratory methods and GC-MS instrumentation. • Quality assurance. Follow and uphold laboratory procedures and quality control protocols to ensure accurate and reliable results. • Data reporting. Document and report analytical findings accurately, presenting data in clear and actionable formats for internal and client review. • Collaboration. Work closely with project teams, providing technical insight and supporting research and development initiatives. • Method development. Assist in developing and refining analytical techniques to improve the service offering and operational efficiency. • Equipment maintenance. Ensure laboratory equipment is properly maintained and calibrated in line with manufacturer and company guidelines. • Training. Mentor and guide junior staff, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Health and safety responsibilities • Comply with the company’s health, safety and environmental policies and procedures, and with local and international regulations. • Identify and mitigate hazards in the laboratory; conduct risk assessments and implement control measures. • Actively promote a culture of safety through training sessions, drills and regular HSE meetings. • Report incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions promptly. • Use and maintain assigned PPE correctly and adhere to safe working practices at all times. Essential requirements • Minimum BSc in Chemistry or an equivalent scientific subject. • Experience in laboratory analysis, preferably within the oil and gas sector. Experience in any commercial, regulatory or industrial testing laboratory is relevant — water quality, environmental, petroleum, brewery and beverage QC, pharmaceutical QC, food safety, soil and agricultural, mining assay, clinical or public analyst. • Proficiency in analytical techniques — gas chromatography and spectroscopy. • Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office. • Strong problem-solving and technical skills. • Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently. • Familiarity with health and safety regulations relevant to laboratory operations. • Strong written and verbal communication. • Analytical thinking, initiative, and the confidence to ask questions. • Able to work independently with minimal supervision. • Willing to work an on-site rotation in Buliisa District and to travel overseas for training. Advantageous • GC-MS operation and chromatography data handling. • Sample preparation by solid phase extraction or liquid-liquid extraction. • Experience with produced water, crude oil or formation water. • Trace and ultra-trace analysis. • Work under ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 9001 or GLP. • Supervisory or laboratory management experience.