Job Description

Join us as a Senior Scientist and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!
As a Senior Scientist, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality, accredited analytical services within a fast-paced Food Safety & Quality environment. With advanced expertise in modern mass spectrometric techniques (LC & GC) and complex multi-residue data processing, you'll ensure the highest standards of measurement and contribute to the development of Fera's growing service portfolio. Reporting to the Operations Manager, you'll lead method delivery, uphold quality standards, and support both internal and external stakeholders.
What you'll be doing:

• Lead the delivery of accredited methods for the analysis of chemical residues in food samples using LC-MS and GC-MS techniques.
• Handle large sets of LC or GCMS analytical data, which includes processing, interpreting and reporting using MassLynx, MassHunter or Chromeleon software.
• Maintain and enhance quality standards within the team, ensuring compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Collaborate with internal and external customers to support method refresh, quality assurance, and service development.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior scientists, supporting their growth and development.
• Ensure efficient and cost-effective operation of GC-LCMS services to meet business and client needs.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and innovation within the Food Safety & Quality programme.

What we're looking for:

• BSc or MSc in Analytical Chemistry (or related discipline), with evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Significant experience in LC-MS and GC-MS, including method development, data processing, and instrument maintenance.
• Proficient in handling complex analytical data using software such as MassLynx, MassHunter, or Chromeleon.
• In depth knowledge of chemical techniques used for the clean-up and extraction of residues and contaminations from complex sample matrices.
• Experience working within ISO 17025 or GLP-accredited environments.
• Excellent attention to detail, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication, leadership, and time management abilities, with a flexible and collaborative approach.

What's in it for you?

• ?25 days' holiday (rising to 29) with the opportunity to buy & sell 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.

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