Job Description

Join us as a Scientist and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!
As a scientist in the chemical contaminants team you will be responsible for the preparation and extraction of samples for analysis as well as the determination of residues in foodstuffs and environmental matrices using a range of instrumentation, including, hi-res GC, HPLC and ICPMS. You will take a lead in the scientific delivery of testing services or projects, seeking advice of senior scientists where appropriate and working effectively with other scientists and assistant scientists to deliver high quality outputs for our customers.
What you'll be doing:

• Extract and clean-up samples in preparation for analysis.
• Instrumental analyses using established methods and novel techniques.
• Report chromatographic data for timely delivery to accreditation standards.
• Be aware of and follow the appropriate quality assurance and safety procedures.
• Write and work from Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) to defined quality standards.
• Deliver training to internal staff and external delegates.
• Contribute to and / or write customer reports.

What we're looking for:

• Ideally you will have a BSc in a relevant subject or equivalent experience, with knowledge of wet chemistry techniques.
• Experience of sample extraction and clean-up.
• Good IT skills and the ability to pick up the use of bespoke software to a high level.
• Ability to learn and implement new laboratory techniques.
• Self-motivated and have an ability to develop good working relationships with colleagues and other team members across the program.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to work on multiple projects
• A methodical approach to work and attention to detail.
• Experience of operating within a quality system (e.g. UKAS or GLP)

What's in it for you?

• ?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
• 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 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