Senior Scientist

As a Senior Molecular Scientist, you'll play a key role in the development & delivery of science in the Detection and Surveillance Technologies (DST) team; primarily responsible for the effective delivery of project work using DNA barcoding to identify plant health pests and pathogens to species, and phylogenetic and population genetic analysis to investigate movements of pests and pathogens. This will involve laboratory work (DNA extractions, PCRs, troubleshooting), desk-based analyses and report and paper writing.,

• Deliver on projects, including planning, conducting experiments, analysing data and contributing to project reports.


• Undertake DNA sequence analysis to deliver DNA barcoding results, including working Sanger sequence data, generating sequence alignments and tree building, using external databases such as GenBank, Q-Bank and BOLD to generate species identifications, and consulting the relevant scientific literature.


• DNA alignments and phylogenetic analysis based on tree-building, with an understanding of different methods used for these.


• Population genetic analysis to inform on pest population distributions and potential routes of movement. This may include population structure analyses, population admixture, and kinship analysis. Markers used may be microsatellites, SNPs, and you may be involved in marker choice.


• Liaising effectively with customers to ensure projects are delivered to their satisfaction.


• Preparing and delivering talks, presentations and training to visitors, colleagues, external customers and at national/international conferences.


• Contribute and lead bid writing and develop scientific project ideas.
  
  A BSc/MSc in a relevant subject with practical experience in, and an in-depth knowledge of nucleic acid-based diagnostics, DNA sequence analysis, and population genetic analysis.


• Self-motivated scientist with an ability to deliver project work to cost, time and quality requirements.


• Proven experience and knowledge of generating sequence alignments and tree building, with some understanding of the pros and cons of particular alignment or tree building tools.


• Experience and understanding of the informed use of external databases such as GenBank, Q-Bank and BOLD (or similar) to identify DNA reference sequences to species.


• A background (theoretical or applied) in population genetic analysis, willingness to test out new analytical approaches.


• Proven experience of report-writing, strong data analysis and presentation skills.


• An ability to engage with various stakeholders and communicate work effectively and with clarity, both verbally and written., Molecular Biology: 2 years (required)
  
  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.
  
  Competitive salary of £30,000 DOE


• 23 days' holiday (rising to 27) 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, Job Types: Full-time, Permanent


Pay: £30,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Canteen


• Company events


• Company pension


• Cycle to work scheme


• Employee discount


• Employee mentoring programme


• Enhanced maternity leave


• Flexitime


• Free or subsidised travel


• Free parking


• Life insurance


• On-site gym


• On-site parking


• Referral programme


• Sick pay


• Transport links


• Work from home


Schedule:

• Day shift


• Monday to Friday


• No weekends