Pesticides Assistant Scientist

Join us as an Assistant Scientist and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity

As an Assistant Scientist in the Pesticides team, you will be responsible for the preparation and extraction of samples for analysis of chemical residues / contaminants in food, feed stuffs and / or food contact materials. You will work closely with the other teams in the Business Unit and staff may be expected to redeploy effectively throughout the Business Unit according to changing work demands.

What you'll be doing:

• Prepare samples ready for analysis using established techniques according to standard operating procedures.
• Extract and clean-up samples in preparation for analysis.
• Be aware of and follow the appropriate quality assurance and safety procedures.
• Support sample prep during busy periods - log samples onto the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and prepare samples when required.

What we're looking for:

• Previous laboratory experience, preferably within an environment of analytical chemistry.
• Practical IT experience, in particular Microsoft Packages such as Word and Excel.
• Ability to keep clear written records.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions efficiently.
• Flexible, adaptable and "can do" approach to work.
• Self-motivated and have an ability to develop good working relationships with colleagues and other team members.
• A methodical approach to work and attention to detail, with the ability to recognise when things have potential to go wrong.
• Experience of operating within a quality system (e.g. UKAS).

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.