Job Description

Join us as a Senior Scientist LC-MS and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced LC-MS Scientist to join our team. The successful candidate will work closely with our Ecotoxicology and Analytical Chemistry Team to support Study Directors and commercial customers in the identification and quantification of a wide variety of substances of environmental concern. This role is pivotal in advancing our understanding of chemical and product safety, and therefore environmental impact.
What you'll be doing:

• Collaborate with Study Directors and laboratory staff to execute a range of studies relating to environmental risk and product safety.
• Provide expert support to Study Directors and laboratory staff in the identification and quantification of known analytes, often at low levels.
• Utilise advanced analytical techniques, namely LC-MS/MS, with the opportunity to investigate the benefit of further separation techniques, including ion mobility separation.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for compound identification and quantification.
• Prepare detailed reports for internal stakeholders and commercial customers.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in analytical chemistry and separation science.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory guidelines and quality standards.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior team members.

What we're looking for:

• BSc in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Significant experience in LC-MS operation, troubleshooting and interpretation within the chemical (REACH), pharmaceutical, or plant protection product sectors.
• Proven proficiency in advanced analytical techniques such as LC-MS/MS, LC-QTOF, Orbitrap and associated method development and validation.
• Strong knowledge of ecotoxicology/analytical chemistry studies with an understanding of and experience of developing methods for a wide range of analytes from varying chemical classes.
• Knowledge of the GLP quality system.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and confident work within a client facing role.
• Experience with regulatory guidelines (e.g., VMD, EPA, EFSA, OECD) is highly desirable

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