Assistant Scientist - Veterinary Medicines

Join us as an Assistant Scientist and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity! As an assistant scientist you will be responsible for the preparation and extraction of samples for chemical analysis by Fera’s internal LC-MS team. You will manage your own time using established methodology/wet chemistry to submit batches on a daily basis. You will also adopt responsibilities to assist the team’s operations, quality and or H&S as required.

What you’ll be doing:

• Support sample preparation team during busy periods - log samples onto the LIMS system and prepare samples (pre‑extraction) as required.
• Extract and clean‑up samples for chemical analysis (use of common wet chemistry techniques) working to defined deadlines and criteria.
• Support daily operation of the team’s laboratories (housekeeping, stock check, pipette calibration, assisting in audits etc.)
• Be aware of, follow & contribute to the appropriate quality assurance and safety procedures.
• Write and work from Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) to defined quality standards, suggesting and implementing continuous improvement.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience of sample extraction, clean‑up & wet chemistry techniques, if not desire to learn and to be laboratory based.
• Happy with routine work, performing similar methodical based tasks on a daily basis.
• The role may require long periods of standing and repetitive tasks such as weighing, pipetting, filtering and sample management.
• Good organisational and time management skills to meet internal deadlines.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work whilst managing under pressure during busy times.
• Self‑motivated and have an ability to develop good working relationships with colleagues and other team members across the program.
• Attention to detail.
• Experience of operating within a quality system (e.g. ISO 17025 or GLP).
• Happy to work with animal products e.g. blood, kidneys, serum, livers etc.

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.

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 recruitment@fera.co.uk. 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 recruitment@fera.co.uk and we’ll get back to you.