Assistant Scientist

Join us as an Assistant Scientist and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity! 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. As an Assistant Scientist in the animal health monitoring team you will assist the animal health monitoring scientists to investigate sample material using techniques in bacteriology, serology, parasitology and molecular diagnostics. You will prepare and assist in testing samples for specified rodent and fish microorganisms and report results using Nautilus LIMS.

Assisting in the testing of samples will require the utilisation of a range of techniques including traditional methods such as culture methods, MADI-ToF, microscopy using direct and specific staining, antibody detection using XMAP technology and Indirect Fluorescent antibody assays. Assistance in performing Molecular methods using PCR and Real-time PCR and occasional sequencing. What you'll be doing:

• Undertake GLP and Containment 2 laboratory training
• Liaise with suppliers and use Fera's purchasing system to generate purchase orders as requested by the AHM Service Manager.
• Coordinate disinfection and delivery of sampling materials to customer facilities.
• Assist in specimen collection at customer facilities. After suitable training the post holder will be expected to be proficient in the handling of mice and rats in order to collect oral samples, pelt samples and faeces.
• Perform specimen reception duties, receiving specimens and logging them in to Nautilus LIMS.
• Perform necropsy procedures on rodents and fish.
• Assist AHM Scientists in bacteriology performing bench tests and staining procedures, purity plating and preparing organisms for identification by MADI-ToF Maintaining stock cultures.
• Preparing potable water for analysis.
• Assist AHM Scientists in Parasitology preparing faecal concentrates, modified-ZN stains and others as necessary.
• Assist AHM Scientists in molecular methods. Preparation of oral swabs, faeces, pelt swabs, environmental samples, biologicals and cell lines for analysis.
• Assist AHM scientists by preparing samples and reagents for analysis in serology. Ideally you will have a scientific qualification in a relevant biology discipline.
• You will be expected to work in a laboratory with the ability to meticulously follow protocols and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Good customer service skills and the ability to prioritise work in a busy environment.
• We will be particularly interested in candidates who have proven aseptic technique.
• Excellent team working skills, and able to take responsibility for the quality of your work, asking questions when unclear.
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to work in an organised manner to deliver work as efficiently as possible to meet deadlines whilst maintaining high standards.
• Rodent handling experience would be an advantage.
• Additional skills that will be desirable are practical laboratory experience good IT skills particularly using databases and Microsoft applications including Outlook, Excel & Word, and experience of working to accredited standards such as ISO
  17025 and ISO
  9001. 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. 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.