Job Description
Job Description
Join us as a Scientist- Soil 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.
We are seeking early career or more experienced soil scientists, or those with transferable skills who wish to enter this increasingly important area, to help us deliver soil science across a diverse range of research projects. In the first year at least, much of the work will be tailored to the organisation and delivery of soils field work.
Role: Scientist- Soil
Salary: From £25,625
Location: Hybrid- BioTech Campus YO411LZ
Working pattern: 37.5 Monday – Friday (flexi between 7am & 7pm)
Start date: ASAP depending on recruitment and onboarding timelines.
What you’ll be doing:
- Delivering a wide range of field research, soil sampling, soil classification (pedology), agricultural soil assessments, vegetation surveys and land manager interviews.
- Working on research projects of national importance.
- Working in beautiful and at times remote locations.
- Developing your understanding of soil science, pedology, agriculture, ecology, and related disciplines.
- Working alongside industry experts in a friendly and engaging environment.
What we’re looking for:
- Those with relevant qualifications (BSc, MSc or higher) in soil science, environmental science, forestry, ecology, physical geography, agricultural sciences or similar.
- Clear enthusiasm for soil science and its related disciplines.
- Clear enthusiasm for field research work, which may at times be physically demanding and in poor weather.
- Happy and able to undertake data analysis, literature reviews, report writing and project management duties, with appropriate guidance provided as required.
- Excellent attention to detail and the ability to follow complex survey protocols,
- Excellent communication skills and the confidence to liaise with landowners, farmers, and colleagues.
- The confidence and ability to lead a field survey team.
- Happy to work away from home (expenses paid) during peak survey windows.
- A full driving license.
What’s in it for you?
- Competitive salary form £25,625
- 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
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.