Scientist - Food Packaging

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

As a scientist, within the food business unit, you will be primarily responsible for the preparation and analysis of foodstuffs, food contact materials (FCMs) and other matrices using a variety of wet chemistry and analytical techniques. You will take a lead in the scientific delivery of testing services or projects, seeking advice of senior scientists where appropriate and working effectively with other scientists and assistant scientists to deliver high quality outputs for our customers.

What you'll be doing:

• Preparing and analysing samples, in a timely manner and to defined deadlines and requirements.
• Ensure compliance with quality assurance and health & safety standards..
• Write and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Support daily operation of the team's laboratories (housekeeping, stock check, logging in samples and standards, assisting in both internal & external audits etc.).
• Support more junior members of the team and deliver training to internal staff and external delegates, as required.
• Contribute to and prepare detailed customer reports.

What we're looking for:

• A BSc in a relevant scientific subject or equivalent experience in laboratory work.
• Hands-on experience with wet chemistry techniques (e.g., solvent extraction, SPE).
• Knowledge of analytical techniques such as GC, HPLC, HRMS, FTIR, headspace, and thermal desorption.
• Strong IT skills and ability to learn bespoke software quickly.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects.
• Experience working within a quality system (e.g., UKAS or GLP).
• A proactive, adaptable approach and strong troubleshooting skills.

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.

The Company

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.

The Benefits

On-site Gym

Shopping & Transport Discounts

Voluntary Benefits to suit your lifestyle

LTIP/share scheme

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