Senior Scientist - Molecular Soil Health
This is a Permanent, Full Time vacancy that will close in {x} days at {xx:xx} BST.
The Vacancy
Join us as a Senior Scientist and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!
As a Senior Scientist you will play a key role in the development and delivery of science in the Detection and Surveillance Technologies (DST) team. You will be responsible for delivering key milestones within projects and maintain connection and coordination between work within the DST and other delivery teams responsible for soils, molecular work. You will be working with senior scientists and principal scientists to develop and deliver in this area of science. This is primarily an R&D focused role requiring molecular soil expertise.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading and supporting R&D projects including planning, conducting experiments, analysing data and project reporting.
- Developing new molecular methods and improving how we deliver soil health science.
- Writing bids, project reports and scientific papers.
- Coordinating and providing molecular diagnostic testing for soil health projects.
- Liaising with Team Managers to secure resources and ensure effective project delivery.
- Overseeing project progress to ensure timely reporting and adherence to quality standards.
- Promoting, ensuring and training others in quality standards (ISO 17025 and ISO 9001).
- Preparing and delivering presentations, talks and training to colleagues, visitors, clients and conference audiences.
- Communicating directly with clients and commercial partners, to deliver project outcomes.
What we’re looking for:
- A PhD or Master's degree with strong experience in molecular soil science or a related field.
- Practical experience in molecular techniques (e.g. DNA extraction, RT‑PCR, assay development).
- Broad knowledge of soils and agriculture, including soil management, ecology and robust sampling design.
- Excellent understanding of quality and data integrity (experience with R desirable but not essential).
- Experience applying qualitative and quantitative methods in environmental sciences, particularly natural capital analysis.
- Strong project management capabilities, including coordination, resource planning and progress monitoring.
- Ability to train, mentor and support others in soil diagnostics and laboratory practices.
- Excellent communication skills, with confidence in delivering technical content to varied audiences.
- Commitment to high standards of health, safety and laboratory quality practice.
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 – 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:
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
Flexible working
Pension contributions
Training & Development
Electric Vehicle Scheme
On-site Gym
Shopping & Transport Discounts
Voluntary Benefits to suit your lifestyle
LTIP/share scheme
Testimonials
- Senior Scientist
“I’m encouraged to innovate and Fera allow me to do just that, and listen to my ideas.”
- Project Manager
“Fera has a great culture; I’ve felt well supported from day one. A supportive team, clear communication and flexibility help me thrive in my role.”
- Apprentice Digital Marketing Executive
“I've gained extensive knowledge, learned a great deal about the work from the wider business and been involved in a variety of major projects - a hugely valuable experience!”
- Assistant Scientist
“I joined as a biology graduate and now I’m on my way to becoming a specialist scientist in an area I really enjoy and I can see myself developing further.”
- Scientist
“I get to make a real-world impact and collaborate with experts around the globe.”
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