Senior Scientist Analytical Chemistry

Join us as a Senior Chemist and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!

As a Senior Analytical Chemist you will work closely with our Ecotoxicology and Analytical Chemistry Team to support Study Directors and commercial customers in the design development validation and regulatory delivery of analytical methods for the identification and quantification of a wide variety of substances of environmental concern. The role includes acting as a GLP Study Director with responsibility for the scientific integrity regulatory compliance and client communication of assigned studies.

What youll be doing:

• Act as a GLP Study Director taking responsibility for the scientific conduct regulatory compliance interpretation and reporting of GLP-compliant studies.
• Collaborate with Study Directors laboratory staff and clients to design and deliver fit-for-purpose analytical strategies supporting environmental risk assessment and product safety.
• Provide expert support in the identification and quantification of known and emerging analytes often at trace or ultra-trace levels in complex matrices.
• Utilise advanced analytical techniques namely LC-MS/MS with the opportunity to investigate and implement advanced separation strategies including ion mobility separation to address challenging analytical questions.
• Lead the development optimisation validation and transfer of analytical methods ensuring suitability for regulatory submission and GLP compliance.
• Define analytical approaches for novel or complex substances including metabolites degradation products and formulation components.
• Prepare review and approve GLP-compliant study plans amendments raw data and final reports for internal stakeholders and commercial customers.
• Act as a technical point of contact for clients supporting study design troubleshooting interpretation of results and regulatory defence where required.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory guidelines quality standards and internal SOPs.
• Stay abreast of advances in analytical chemistry separation science and regulatory expectations proactively applying innovation where appropriate.
• Mentor and provide technical and scientific guidance to junior team members supporting capability development within the team.

What were looking for:

• A BSc in Analytical Chemistry Biochemistry or a related field.
• Extensive experience in LC-MS operation troubleshooting and interpretation within the chemical (REACH) pharmaceutical or plant protection product sectors.
• Experience in project management project delivery and mentorship.
• Proven proficiency in advanced analytical techniques such as LC-MS/MS LC-QTOF Orbitrap and associated method development and validation.
• Strong knowledge of ecotoxicology/analytical chemistry studies with an understanding of and experience of developing methods for a wide range of analytes from varying chemical classes.
• Knowledge of the GLP quality system.
• Proven experience acting as or working closely with a GLP Study Director with a strong understanding of GLP responsibilities and study lifecycle management.
• Experience interpreting analytical data in the context of environmental fate exposure and risk assessment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and confident work within a client facing role.
• Experience with regulatory guidelines (e.g. VMD EPA EFSA OECD) is highly desirable.

Whats 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 weeksand 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 youll 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 youd like to ask before applying you can contact

Were an equal opportunity employer which means we recruit and develop people based on their merit and passion. Were 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 youd like to discuss other changes or support you might need going forward please email at and well get back to you.

At Fera were making the world a better healthier and safer place. Were a joint venture partnership between Bridgepoint and Defra and were 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.