Principal Scientist- Plant

3 weeks ago

York, United Kingdom Fera Science Full time

Join us as a Principal Scientist (Plant & Bee Health) and make an invaluable contribution to our Biosecurity & Food Safety

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.

We’re seeking a Principal Scientist to accelerate focus and build on the strengths of our existing business in Plant & Bee Health.

We invest in our people and have appointed a number of emerging leaders with the potential to act and lead on innovative initiatives. Our Principal Scientists demonstrate strong subject matter prowess with the ability to fundamentally challenge the science quality across our business whilst taking responsibility for representation of its science externally and applying commercial acumen for the evaluation of opportunities.  

As a Principal Scientist, you will play the leading role in the science development and delivery of work in your scientific areas of expertise and make a significant contribution to the overall scientific direction of Fera. You will be accountable for the successful (scientifically and financially) and efficient delivery of a portfolio of testing services and/or projects, directing and mentoring colleagues as appropriate. Your breadth of knowledge will be such that you can lead and influence across the whole business in multiple science workstreams.

What you’ll be doing:

This role will play a key part in the delivery and oversight of the Specialist Science and Contingency Services (SSCS) contract with the UK Government as well as:

  • Contribute to Defra’s strategic planning in Plant Health, Bee Health, Genetic Modification and Non-Native Species.
  • Lead on Fera’s Science Strategy in these areas to meet both Defra’s needs under the SSCS and Fera’s commercial requirements.
  • This role will have a close relationship with Defra’s Chief Plant Health Officer and will work closely with them and others across a range of Defra and industry meetings.
  • To develop further relationships within government at the Deputy Director and Grade 6 level to enable Fera to provide strategic science services across government.
  • Driving the Science Excellence within the SSCS contract, including oversight of the Continuous Improvement process that will ensure that the services are delivered in a way that appropriately balances excellence and value for money.
  • Science innovation is fundamental to Fera’s success. This role will lead on Innovation within the SSCS and work closely with Defra to ensure that potential innovations align with Defra’s strategy and requirements.

What we’re looking for:

  • You’ll have relevant qualifications at Bachelor, Masters, or PhD level plus significant industry experience.
  • You’ll have an established reputation and national/ international profile in Plant Health and/or Bee Health or aligned disciplines.
  • Experience in science leadership and project management working with a variety of colleagues across multiple and related disciplines to deliver innovative and valuable support to our customers, partners and stakeholders from both public and private sectors.
  • A demonstrable understanding of the regulatory requirements for Plant Health and Biosecurity.
  • A reputable track record of strategic science development.
  • Have technical laboratory experience delivering and an interpreting quality scientific data.
  • Have experience of working to quality standards, e.g. ISO17025 and GLP
  • You’ll be a strategic thinker and an effective decision maker and have the ability to make strategic and informed decisions based on knowledge, experience and insights.  
  • An excellent communicator - presentation skills, public speaking, excellent writer, influencer, ability to translate complex problems into comprehendible solutions
  • Accountability is key - thought leadership and taking full accountability for your areas of science
  • Experience with leading, motivating and inspiring colleagues to accomplish a common objective or goal and taking stakeholders on your science journey.
  • A clear innovator, driving change and delivering services which demonstrate a clearly differentiated offering compared to competitors.
  • You’ll be comfortable with commercially led conversations and understand how to convert concepts to completion.

What’s in it for you?

  • Competitive salary
  • ​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

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.

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