Job Description

Join us as an Assistant Scientist (Mycology) and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!
As an assistant scientist you will be identifying fungal diseases using a range of traditional diagnostic techniques and preparing samples for molecular testing.
What youll be doing:

• Working in the laboratory assisting with the identification of fungal diseases using traditional mycological methods: microscopic examination, isolations, incubations and bait tests.
• Meticulously following protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Preparing samples for molecular analysis.
• Recording symptoms and documenting evidence.
• Controlling stocks of culture media and consumables.
• Help clean and maintain routinely used facilities and equipment.
• If required, assist with molecular diagnostics and the maintenance of the culture collection.
• To deliver work in accordance with ISO17025 and ISO9001 quality accreditation standards.

What were looking for:

• A Science qualification or equivalant experience.
• We are looking for someone with excellent team working skills, who cares for the quality of their work and asks questions when unclear.
• Our ideal candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication. They will be able to follow protocols/SOPs and work in an organised manner to meet deadlines whilst maintaining high standards.
• Additional desirable skills: experience of working in a busy laboratory; an interest in plants and plant diseases; good IT skills particularly using databases and Microsoft applications (Word, Excel and Outlook) and experience of working to accredited standards such as ISO 17025 and ISO 9001.

Whats in it for you?

• Competitive salary: 325,090
• 25 days holiday (rising to 29) with the opportunity to buy extra leave.
• Flexible working hours, on-site gym, restaurant, and free parking
• The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice
• Company matched pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeksxe2x80xa6and plenty more.
• Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology
• Access to our Employee Network Groups, which represent every strand of diversity and allow colleagues to connect and learn from each other on an open, inclusive platform#
• Fera operates a LTIP ( Long Term Incentive Plan) under which all employees are awarded points towards shares in the Employee Benefits Trust on an annual basis. The Employee Benefits Trust holds shares on behalf of our employee, at the point of an equity event the shares will realise a cash value.

What we hope youll do next:
Choose xe2x80x98Apply now to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you. If you have any questions youd like to ask before applying, you can contact
Were an equal opportunity employer, which means we recruit and develop people based on their merit and passion. Were committed to providing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and working environment for everyone. If you need the job description or application form in an alternative format or if youd like to discuss other changes or support you might need going forward, please email at and well get back to you.
At Fera, were making the world a better, healthier and safer place. Were a joint venture partnership between Bridgepoint and Defra and were working proactively to protect the world we live in and the food we eat. Our teams are investigating plant and bee health, crop protection and sustainable agriculture. Join us and discover better as you deliver world-class science for the future.