Become a Analytical Chemist with Fera Science and make your contribution to the UKs food health and biosecurity!

From farm to fork, we help to protect the food we eat and the world in which we live. Join Fera and play an important role biosecurity and help protect our farming and natural environment. This protection is critical for the future of our food supply and all the animals and plants that live in alongside us. We're proud of our heritage stretching back over 100 years, we make a difference to everyone; delivering science for the public good and tackling all sorts of risks, including plant pests, diseases and chemicals that threaten our food security and natural environment. We're a caring and responsible company committed to making the world a better, healthier and safer place. Innovation is at the core of Fera's science…

CCSS is a diverse scientific service programme, which conducts highly technical assessments for public and private sector stakeholders. CCSS prides itself on delivering high quality, regulatory projects which adhere to and comply with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). We engage within scientific research and development, which ensures we remain at the forefront of scientific and regulatory development within chemistry, environmental fate, metabolism and ecotoxicology.

Job title:

Analytical chemist

Job Description:

What you’ll be doing:

Chemical analysis in support of the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS) for England and Wales. The scheme investigates suspected poisonings of wildlife and beneficial insects and involves:

• Receipt and booking in samples for the WIIS using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Extraction of a variety of Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS) sample types including animal tissues and whole carcases in different states of autolysis, working in a micro-biological safety cabinet
• Preparation of standard solutions of analytes for measurement of residues.
• Pesticide/biocide analysis of prepared extracts using GC, GC-MS, LC-MS.
• Use of computer applications such as Excel and Word to calculate results and summarise information from reports, etc.
• Checking data produced by other members of the team.
• Use and maintenance of standard laboratory equipment.
• Contributing to maintenance of the laboratory by performing regular equipment checks.
• Maintenance of GLP infrastructure, e.g. updating records and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Data entry using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

The work involves handling hazardous substances, biological samples, decomposing animal tissues and animal carcasses with appropriate safety controls and training.

What we’re looking for:

• Educated to degree level in a relevant science, e.g. chemistry with some laboratory experience.
• Must be methodical with good attention to detail.
• Keep clear and accurate written records, to help maintain GLP compliance and continuity of evidence in support of criminal investigations.
• Be able to work effectively in a team and independently.
• Good writing skills to produce Standard Procedures or a detailed data summary  
• Practical IT skills, particularly the use of Excel and Word.
• Use of GC and/or LC techniques. (Desirable)
• Experience working to GLP or another recognised quality system. (Desirable)
• Experience with database software e.g. Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS). (Desirable)

About Fera Science

At Fera, we're making the world a better, healthier and safer place. We're a joint venture partnership between Capita and Defra and we're working proactively to protect the world we live in and the food we eat. Fera is a national and international centre of excellence for interdisciplinary investigation and problem solving across plant and bee health, crop protection, sustainable agriculture, food and feed quality and chemical safety in the environment. Join us and contribute to delivering world-class science for the future.

Fera are part of Capita Plc, a leading UK provider of technology enabled business services. We're supporting and improving the lives of millions of people every day and we can only do this with the right people in place, working towards a shared goal. We encourage an open, honest working environment where everyone can be true to themselves and people are valued for their differences. We're always challenging each other to learn and improve, because we know when we work together, we can deliver better outcomes. We work across such a huge range of businesses and sectors, that you'll have the opportunity to grow and develop your career in any number of directions.

What's in it for you?

• Salary up to £23,000
• 23 days' holiday (rising to 27) with the opportunity to buy extra leave
• 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
• The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice
• 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
• This role is based at our world class research facility in York, UK. You will have access to amenities such as a gym, subsidised nursery and restaurant.