Scientist - Chemical Contaminants

FERA SCIENCE LTD; York; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading scientific organization in York seeks a Scientist to contribute to Food Safety and Biosecurity. Responsibilities include sample preparation and analysis using advanced instrumentation. Applicants should possess a BSc or equivalent experience and have knowledge of wet chemistry techniques. The role offers competitive benefits, including flexible working hours and a company-matched pension.

Benefits

25 days' holiday (rising to 29)

Flexible working hours

On-site gym

Paid volunteering day

Company matched pension

Qualifications

• BSc in a relevant subject or equivalent experience.
• Experience with sample extraction and clean-up.
• Ability to learn and implement new laboratory techniques.

Responsibilities

• Extract and clean-up samples for analysis.
• Conduct instrumental analyses using established methods.
• Report data for timely delivery to accreditation standards.

Skills

Wet chemistry techniques

Sample extraction and clean-up

IT skills

Learning new laboratory techniques

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Quality system experience

Education

BSc in a relevant subject or equivalent experience

Tools

Chromatography instruments

Job description

Overview

Join us as a Scientist and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity! As a scientist in the chemical contaminants team you will be responsible for the preparation and extraction of samples for analysis as well as the determination of residues in foodstuffs and environmental matrices using a range of instrumentation, including, hi-res GC, HPLC and ICPMS. 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.

Responsibilities

• Extract and clean-up samples in preparation for analysis.
• Instrumental analyses using established methods and novel techniques.
• Report chromatographic data for timely delivery to accreditation standards.
• Be aware of and follow the appropriate quality assurance and safety procedures.
• Write and work from Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to defined quality standards.
• Deliver training to internal staff and external delegates.
• Contribute to and / or write customer reports.

Qualifications

• Ideally you will have a BSc in a relevant subject or equivalent experience, with knowledge of wet chemistry techniques.
• Experience of sample extraction and clean-up.
• Good IT skills and the ability to pick up the use of bespoke software to a high level.
• Ability to learn and implement new laboratory techniques.
• Self-motivated and have an ability to develop good working relationships with colleagues and other team members across the program.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to work on multiple projects.
• A methodical approach to work and attention to detail.
• Experience of operating within a quality system (e.g. UKAS or GLP).

Benefits & Perks

• 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 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, representing diversity and enabling connection and learning within an open, inclusive platform.
• Fera LTIP (Long Term Incentive Plan) with points towards shares in the Employee Benefits Trust; cash value realized at equity events.

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 us. We are an equal opportunity employer and recruit and develop people based on merit and passion. We are 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 would like to discuss other changes or support you might need going forward, please email us and we'll get back to you.

About Fera

At Fera, we're making the world a better, healthier and safer place. We're a joint venture partnership between Bridgepoint and Defra. Our teams investigate plant and bee health, crop protection and sustainable agriculture. Join us and discover better as you deliver world-class science for the future.