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- Tasks: Lead R&D projects in food safety and biosecurity, driving scientific advancements.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to food safety and biosecurity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible hours, gym access, and generous parental leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in food safety while advancing your scientific career.
- Qualifications: MSc or PhD with strong skills in molecular techniques and plant pathology.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for volunteering and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join us as a Senior Scientist and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading and contributing to R&D projects, including planning, experimentation, data analysis, and reporting.
- Developing and implementing new bacteriology methods to support DST projects.
- Collaborating with Science Leads and Principal Scientists to drive scientific advancements.
- Leading and contributing to bid writing activities, scientific papers and project reports.
- Coordinating resources across teams to ensure successful project delivery.
- Training staff and students in molecular diagnostics.
- Monitoring project progress and ensuring timely, high‑quality reporting.
- Promoting and upholding ISO 17025 and ISO 9001 standards.
- Overseeing Plant Health Quarantine laboratories (Containment Level 2) and ensuring compliance with health and safety protocols.
- Delivering presentations and training to colleagues, clients, and at conferences.
- Liaising directly with clients, including DEFRA and commercial partners.
What we’re looking for:
- A MSc or PhD in a relevant subject plus significant experience.
- Strong skills in cultural and molecular techniques (e.g., MALDI‑TOF, DNA extraction, RT‑PCR, LAMP).
- Experience working with a range of sample types, including plants and environmental samples.
- Knowledge of epidemiology, etiology, and management of plant pathogenic bacteria and phytoplasmas.
- Familiarity with experimental glasshouse work and molecular method development.
- Experience with antimicrobial susceptibility testing, biopesticides, and bio‑stimulants would be beneficial.
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—discounts on retail and socialising, 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; at 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 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.
Senior Scientist - Detection and Surveillance Technologies employer: Fera Science Ltd.
Contact Detail:
Fera Science Ltd. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Scientist - Detection and Surveillance Technologies
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their work in detection and surveillance technologies, and think about how your skills can contribute to their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who’s genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring along examples of your previous work, especially any R&D projects or publications. This not only demonstrates your capabilities but also gives you something tangible to discuss during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team and contributing to our mission in food safety and biosecurity.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Scientist - Detection and Surveillance Technologies
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Scientist role. Highlight your relevant experience in R&D projects, bacteriology methods, and any specific techniques mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about food safety and biosecurity. Share specific examples of your past work that relate to the responsibilities listed in the job description. Let us know why you’d be a great fit for our team!
Showcase Your Collaboration Skills: Since collaboration is key in this role, make sure to mention any experiences where you’ve worked with teams or led projects. We love seeing how you can coordinate resources and drive scientific advancements alongside others!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. Plus, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at recruitment@fera.co.uk before applying!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fera Science Ltd.
✨Know Your Science
Brush up on your knowledge of cultural and molecular techniques, especially those mentioned in the job description like MALDI-TOF and RT-PCR. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these methods in past projects, as this will show your expertise and relevance to the role.
✨Showcase Your R&D Experience
Prepare to talk about your previous R&D projects in detail. Highlight your role in planning, experimentation, and data analysis. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you’ve contributed to successful project delivery and how you’ve collaborated with other scientists.
✨Understand Compliance Standards
Familiarise yourself with ISO 17025 and ISO 9001 standards, as well as health and safety protocols relevant to Plant Health Quarantine laboratories. Being able to discuss how you’ve upheld these standards in your work will impress your interviewers.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview, especially about their current projects or future directions in food safety and biosecurity. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
