Job Description

Join us as an Assistant Scientist and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!
Are you passionate about plant health and eager to build hands-on experience in a scientific environment? We're looking for a motivated individual to support the diagnosis and monitoring of plant diseases caused by viruses, viroids, and phytoplasmas. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a laboratory setting using both molecular diagnostics and traditional virological techniques, contributing to vital research and surveillance projects that protect plant biosecurity.
What you'll be doing:

• Supporting the diagnosis of plant diseases caused by viruses, viroids, or phytoplasmas using molecular and traditional virological techniques (e.g. PCR, ELISA, sap inoculation, electron microscopy).
• Assisting with surveys and monitoring projects, including sample processing and preparation for diagnostic analysis.
• Managing consumables--preparing, labelling, ordering, and maintaining stock levels.
• Contributing to the validation and improvement of detection methods.
• Maintaining lab facilities and equipment, and producing media and buffers as needed.
• Supporting the inoculation and care of virus-infected plants in glasshouses.
• Booking samples into electronic databases and ensuring accurate record-keeping.
• Working to ISO17025 and ISO9001 quality standards.
• Collaborating with the team to respond to system support requests and uphold high standards of scientific practice.

What we're looking for:

• A science background--whether through education or experience--in biology, agriculture, virology, bacteriology, mycology, nematology, entomology, or molecular science.
• Experience or interest in working in a laboratory environment, following protocols and standard operating procedures.
• A keen interest in plant pests and pathogens, with strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain quality during repetitive tasks such as microscopy.
• A collaborative team player with effective communication skills and a proactive approach to learning.
• A commitment to quality and personal development, with the potential to progress into more senior scientific roles over time.

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