Job Description

Join us as a Sample Preparation Assistant and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!
As a sample preparation technician, you will be responsible for the receipt and preparation of sample for the analysis of chemical residues and contaminants in foods as well as preparing samples for food authenticity studies.
What you'll be doing:

• Work from Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) to meet defined quality standards.
• Log samples onto the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Organise the storage, retrieval and disposal of samples.
• Prepare samples for analysis using established techniques.
• Carry out general laboratory duties including glassware washing, laboratory cleaning and maintaining/ordering of consumable/chemical stocks
• Maintain logs of chemicals and samples as required
• Ensure equipment is properly maintained
• Be aware of and follow the appropriate quality assurance and safety procedures

Please note the nature of this role requires regular handling and processing of animal/fish samples, cereals, nuts and other foodstuffs
What we're looking for:

• Practical IT experience, in particular Microsoft Packages such as Word and Excel.
• Ability to keep clear written records.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions efficiently.
• Ability to recognise when things have potential to go wrong.
• Self-motivated and have an ability to develop good working relationships with colleagues and other team members.
• A methodical approach to work and attention to detail
• A desire to develop a career in the sciences would be preferred

What's in it for you?
Salary: 24,570
?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 weeks...and plenty more.
Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle - from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology
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.
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
What we hope you'll do next:
Choose 'Apply now' to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you. If you have any questions you'd like to ask before applying, you can contact
We're an equal opportunity employer, which means we recruit and develop people based on their merit and passion. We're 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 you'd like to discuss other changes or support you might need going forward, please email at and we'll get back to you.
At Fera, we're making the world a better, healthier and safer place. We're a joint venture partnership between Bridgepoint and Defra and we're 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.

Skills Required