At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative method development projects to ensure food safety and authenticity.
- Company: Join Fera, a pioneering company dedicated to making the world healthier and safer.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, gym access, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with excellent career growth and employee share scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in food safety while advancing your analytical science career.
- Qualifications: MSc in Chemistry or equivalent experience with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Join us as a Senior Scientist (Method Development) and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity! As a Senior Scientist, you’ll lead method development and validation projects that protect consumers and ensure the authenticity of food. This is your opportunity to work at the forefront of analytical science and influence industry standards.
What you’ll be doing:
- Lead the review, development, and validation of analytical methods for foodstuffs, food contact materials (FCMs), and related matrices using advanced techniques (GC, HPLC, MS, FTIR).
- Manage bespoke testing and R&D projects to ISO17025 standards, delivering results on time and to the highest quality.
- Drive innovation by identifying new research areas and preparing high-quality proposals for funding.
- Represent Fera at conferences and in publications, showcasing cutting-edge science.
- Collaborate with business development teams to transform research into commercial solutions.
What we’re looking for:
- MSc (or higher) in Chemistry or related field, or significant equivalent experience.
- Hands-on experience with analytical techniques (GC, HPLC, MS, FTIR) and wet chemistry sample prep.
- Proven track record in method development, optimisation, and validation (including SOP preparation).
- Strong project management and proposal writing skills.
- Knowledge of food safety, quality and authenticity regulations (desirable).
- Self-motivated, collaborative, and able to manage multiple projects effectively.
What’s in it for you?
- Salary between £30,000 -£40,000 dependent on experience.
- 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.
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.
The Company
At Fera, we’re making the world a better, healthier and safer place. We’re a joint venture partnership between Bridgepoint and Defra and we’re working proactively to protect the world we live in and the food we eat. Our teams are investigating plant and bee health, crop protection and sustainable agriculture. Join us and discover better as you deliver world-class science for the future.
The Benefits
- On-site Gym
- Shopping & Transport Discounts
- Voluntary Benefits to suit your lifestyle
- LTIP/share scheme
Senior Scientist - Analytical Chemistry Method Development in York employer: FERA
Contact Detail:
FERA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Scientist - Analytical Chemistry Method Development in York
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the analytical chemistry field on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio of your method development projects and any publications. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your hands-on experience with techniques like GC and HPLC.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers, especially around project management and proposal writing. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, if you have questions, just drop us an email at recruitment@fera.co.uk – we’re here to help!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Scientist - Analytical Chemistry Method Development in York
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Scientist role. Highlight your experience with analytical techniques like GC, HPLC, MS, and FTIR, and showcase any method development projects you've led. 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 project management and proposal writing skills, and let us know how you can drive innovation at Fera.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; highlight your achievements! Whether it’s successful method validation or innovative research proposals, we want to see how you’ve made an impact in your previous roles. Numbers and results speak volumes!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s quick and easy, and it helps us keep everything organised. 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
✨Know Your Analytical Techniques
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of GC, HPLC, MS, and FTIR. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these techniques and how you've applied them in method development and validation projects. Specific examples will show your expertise!
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare to talk about your project management experience, especially in relation to ISO17025 standards. Think of specific projects where you managed timelines and quality, and be ready to explain how you kept everything on track.
✨Demonstrate Innovation and Research Skills
Fera is looking for someone who can drive innovation. Come prepared with ideas for new research areas or methods you think could benefit the industry. This shows you're not just a follower but a leader in analytical science.
✨Engage with Their Mission
Familiarise yourself with Fera's mission to protect food safety and biosecurity. Be ready to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goals. Showing genuine interest in their work can set you apart from other candidates.