Assistant Scientist - Mycology

Fera Science; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Flexible working hours

On-site gym

Restaurant

Free parking

Discounted on-site nursery

Paid volunteering day

Company pension

Life assurance

Cycle2work

Maternity/parental leave

Job summary

Fera Science is seeking an Assistant Scientist to contribute to the Food Safety & Biosecurity team in York. You will perform molecular analysis of plant and fungal samples, ensuring timely processing according to SOPs and quality systems within the Mycology group of the Plant, Animal and Environmental Health unit.

Responsibilities include PCR-based analysis, sequencing, troubleshooting with colleagues, and strict adherence to ISO 17025/ISO 9001 standards.

Qualifications

• A scientific qualification or equivalent experience.
• Excellent team working skills and quality focus.
• Ability to follow SOPs and work to high standards to meet deadlines.
• Experience in molecular diagnostics using various nucleic acid extraction and detection techniques.
• Experience with ISO 17025 and ISO 9001 quality standards.
• Proficient IT skills with MS Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Interest in plants and plant diseases.
• Sequence interpretation experience (Geneious, NCBI BLAST).

Responsibilities

• Perform molecular analysis using PCR, real-time PCR and sequencing on plant and fungal samples.
• Adhere to SOPs and quality systems to ensure ISO 17025/ISO 9001 compliance.
• Troubleshoot laboratory issues with colleagues.
• Manage stock control of reagents and consumables.
• Clean and maintain laboratory facilities and equipment.
• Assist with literature reviews as needed.

Skills

Teamwork

Follow SOPs

Molecular diagnostics

IT skills (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Plants and plant diseases

Sequence interpretation (Geneious, BL\

Education

Scientific qualification or equivalent experience

Tools

PCR

Real-time PCR

Sequencing

Geneious

NCBI BLAST

Job description

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

As an assistant scientist you will be conducting molecular analysis of samples within the Mycology Team, part of the Plant, Animal and Environmental Health Business Unit. You will be responsible for ensuring samples are processed and analysed within agreed timescales through effective workload planning and strict adherence to established procedures.

What you’ll be doing:

• Molecular analysis, using conventional PCR, real-time PCR and sequencing of plant and fungal samples following standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Ensuring best practice in the laboratories by adhering to quality systems (ISO 17025 and ISO 9001).
• Helping colleagues to troubleshoot problems if they occur.
• Stock control of reagents and consumables.
• Cleaning and maintaining routinely used facilities and equipment.
• Possibly assisting with literature reviews.

What we’re looking for:

• A scientific qualification, or equivalent experience
• Excellent team working skills, who cares for the quality of their work and asks questions when unclear.
• The ability to follow SOPs and work to a high standard in an organised manner to meet deadlines.
• Experience in molecular diagnostics using a range of nucleic acid extraction and detection techniques.
• Experience of working to accredited quality standards such as ISO 17025 and ISO 9001.
• Good IT skills particularly using Microsoft applications (Word, Excel and Outlook).
• -an interest in plants and plant diseases
• -sequence interpretation (e.g., using Geneious and NCBI BLAST database).

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, free parking and a discounted on-site nursery.
• 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.

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.

Assistant Scientist - Mycology York, UK