Job Description

Join us as a Senior Scientist (HRMS) and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!
As a senior scientist, within the food business unit, you will play a key role in the scientific development, delivery and reporting of the business units' work to ensure the safety, quality and authenticity of food. In particular, you will be responsible for the non-targeted analysis of food contact materials (FCMs), foodstuffs and other matrices using high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) techniques.
What you'll be doing:

• Deliver, report and manage bespoke testing and research and development projects in the area of food safety, quality and authenticity within agreed deadlines and to the appropriate quality standards e.g. ISO17025. In particular, the non-targeted analysis of FCMs, foodstuffs and other matrices using HRMS techniques.
• Be aware of and follow the appropriate quality assurance and safety procedures.
• Provide technical leadership in cutting edge food research and development science.
• Be able to identify new areas of research and prepare / support production of high-quality research proposals and bids for funding in response to tender documents.
• Be able to develop concepts using the Fera research and development capability into a commercial offer to provide science solutions for our customers.

What we're looking for:

• A MSc in a relevant subject with practical experience in operating HRMS systems, processing HRMS data and non-targeted analysis.
• Knowledge and experience of profiling techniques and the supporting software (e.g. Mass Profiler, Compound Discoverer).
• In-depth knowledge of chemistry and chemical structures. Knowledge and understanding of wet chemistry techniques for sample preparation. Additionally, an understanding of basic biochemistry, toxicology and NMR is desirable.
• Knowledge and understanding of MS fragmentation and its application to structure determination.
• Knowledge and understanding of chromatography techniques (LC, GC and SFC).
• Knowledge and experience of computer programming (in particular VBA) is desirable.
• A knowledge of the regulatory frameworks surrounding FCMs and food safety, quality and authenticity is desirable.
• Self-motivated and have an ability to work independently, as well as develop good working relationships with other team members and colleagues across the business unit.

What's in it for you?

• ?23 days' holiday (rising to 27) 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