Senior Scientist - Biologist (Microbiology)

TN United Kingdom; York; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading company as a Senior Scientist specializing in Microbiology in York. You will contribute to food safety and biosecurity by supporting project delivery and working closely with key clients. The role requires expertise in microbiological techniques and offers a range of benefits, including flexible working hours and generous leave policies.

Benefits

25 days holiday (rising to 29)

Flexible working hours

On-site gym and restaurant

Company matched pension

15 weeks fully paid maternity leave

Voluntary benefits for lifestyle

Access to Employee Network Groups

Long Term Incentive Plan

Qualifications

• Experience in high containment microbiology laboratories.
• Familiarity with Class III biological safety cabinets and autoclaves.
• Strong communication skills for presentations and training.

Responsibilities

• Support scientific delivery and project planning.
• Prepare business cases for new services and projects.
• Promote quality standards and provide training to colleagues.

Skills

Communication

Project Management

Molecular Method Development

Education

BSc/MSc/PhD in relevant field

Job description

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Senior Scientist - Biologist (Microbiology), York

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Client:

Location:

York, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

b1eb558fc8d3

Job Views:

2

Posted:

23.05.2025

Expiry Date:

07.07.2025

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Job Description:

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

As a Senior Scientist, you will play a key role in supporting the development and implementation of a CB Surge Response capability at Fera. With practical experience in high containment microbiology work, you will support new proposals products or process improvements and/or areas of research within CB Surge. You will act as deputy point of contact for key Defra customers and ensure the successful delivery of these projects. You will work closely with the project team, Key Personnel and science leads to help grow the business’ client portfolio.

What you’ll be doing:

• Support scientific delivery to ensure that the project plans, quality assurance and reporting are fit-for-purpose, meet with customer expectations and provide opportunities for future business.
• Support the planning and prioritisation of projects/delivery lines, you will report progress and issues to Team Managers/Heads of Programme and develop and implement alternative scenarios/mitigations where appropriate.
• Prepare business cases for new services/projects/equipment purchases to customers and/or internal decision makers as appropriate.
• Promote and train others in the application and importance of quality standards, H&S requirements and licences relevant to the workplace. This may require the preparation and delivery of training to colleagues.
• Provide updates to customers either in writing or through meeting attendance (virtually or in person as required) as deputy point of contact (to provide cover).
• Ensure continuous performance improvement within the scientific and technical environment, using technical knowledge to challenge assumptions, innovate, make new proposals and build on existing ideas.

What we’re looking for:

• A BSc/MSc/PhD with relevant experience working in high contaminant microbiological laboratories, you are familiar with key safety equipment and practises such as Class III biological safety cabinets, autoclaves etc.
• You understand the principles of laboratory techniques and scientific experimentation relevant to this field of work. Experience of molecular method development and optimisation (including rapid and alternative methods) is essential.
• Understand full requirements of service/project delivery in area of specialism and support with customer reporting and troubleshooting of delivery.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal is essential. The ability to prepare and deliver talks, presentations and training to visitors, colleagues, external customers and at national/international conferences will be advantageous.
• Experience of planning and delivering projects to deadlines and budgets is desirable.
• The role will also require the successful candidate to achieve adequate Security Clearance through a UK vetting authority, a prerequisite of which is to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years.

What’s in it for you?

• 25 days’ holiday (rising to 29) 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.