Senior Scientist - Analytical Chemistry

As a Senior Analytical Chemist, you will work closely with our Ecotoxicology and Analytical Chemistry Team to support Study Directors and commercial customers in the design, development, validation, and regulatory delivery of analytical methods for the identification and quantification of a wide variety of substances of environmental concern. The role includes acting as a GLP Study Director, with responsibility for the scientific integrity, regulatory compliance, and client communication of assigned studies.

What you'll be doing:

• Act as a GLP Study Director, taking responsibility for the scientific conduct, regulatory compliance, interpretation, and reporting of GLP-compliant studies.
• Collaborate with Study Directors, laboratory staff, and clients to design and deliver fit-for-purpose analytical strategies supporting environmental risk assessment and product safety.
• Provide expert support in the identification and quantification of known and emerging analytes, often at trace or ultra-trace levels in complex matrices.
• Utilise advanced analytical techniques, namely LC-MS/MS, with the opportunity to investigate and implement advanced separation strategies, including ion mobility separation, to address challenging analytical questions.
• Lead the development, optimisation, validation, and transfer of analytical methods, ensuring suitability for regulatory submission and GLP compliance.
• Define analytical approaches for novel or complex substances, including metabolites, degradation products, and formulation components.
• Prepare, review, and approve GLP-compliant study plans, amendments, raw data, and final reports for internal stakeholders and commercial customers.
• Act as a technical point of contact for clients, supporting study design, troubleshooting, interpretation of results, and regulatory defence where required.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory guidelines, quality standards, and internal SOPs.
• Stay abreast of advances in analytical chemistry, separation science, and regulatory expectations, proactively applying innovation where appropriate.
• Mentor and provide technical and scientific guidance to junior team members, supporting capability development within the team.

Qualifications & Experience:

• A BSc in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in LC-MS operation, troubleshooting and interpretation within the chemical (REACH), pharmaceutical, or plant protection product sectors.
• Experience in project management, project delivery and mentorship.
• Proven proficiency in advanced analytical techniques such as LC-MS/MS, LC-QTOF, Orbitrap and associated method development and validation.
• Strong knowledge of ecotoxicology/analytical chemistry studies with an understanding of and experience of developing methods for a wide range of analytes from varying chemical classes.
• Knowledge of the GLP quality system.
• Proven experience acting as, or working closely with, a GLP Study Director, with a strong understanding of GLP responsibilities and study lifecycle management.
• Experience interpreting analytical data in the context of environmental fate, exposure, and risk assessment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and confident work within a client facing role.
• Experience with regulatory guidelines (e.g., VMD, EPA, EFSA, OECD) is highly desirable.

Benefits:

• 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. 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: