Join us as an Assistant Scientist (Mycology) and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity As an assistant scientist you will be identifying fungal diseases using a range of traditional diagnostic techniques and preparing samples for molecular testing. Working pattern: 37.5 Monday - Friday (flexi between 7am & 7pm) What you’ll be doing: To work in the laboratory assisting with the identification of fungal diseases using traditional mycological methods: microscopic examination, isolations, incubations and bait tests. To meticulously follow protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs). To prepare samples for molecular analysis. To prioritise work based on deadlines. To record symptoms and document evidence. To control stocks of culture media and consumables. To help clean and maintain routinely used facilities and equipment. If required, assist with molecular diagnostics and the maintenance of the culture collection. To deliver work in accordance with ISO17025 and ISO9001 quality accreditation standards. What we’re looking for: Ideally, you'll have science qualifications or equivalent experience We are looking for someone with excellent team working skills, who cares for the quality of their work and asks questions when unclear. Our ideal candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication. They will be able to follow protocols/SOPs and work in an organised manner to meet deadlines whilst maintaining high standards. Additional desirable skills: experience of working in a busy laboratory; an interest in plants and plant diseases; good IT skills particularly using databases and Microsoft applications (Word, Excel and Outlook) and experience of working to accredited standards such as ISO 17025 and ISO 9001. What’s in it for you? Competitive salary: £23,920.00 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 recruitmentfera.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 recruitmentfera.co.uk and we’ll get back to you.