Assistant Scientist - Ecotoxicologist Fish Facility

Join us as an Assistant Scientist and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!

As an Assistant Scientist you will be based within the Ecotoxicology Team that sits within the Chemical Safety department at Fera. You will be responsible for the care, welfare and management of fish in research, while also assisting with scientific experiments and data collection.  You will also be responsible for supporting all aspects of the experimental work, including undertaking general laboratory maintenance tasks to ensure the smooth running of the fish facilities and work conducted under the Animals (scientific procedures) Act 1986. You will also assist with GLP compliant laboratory studies and non-regulatory research projects.  Candidates with a keen interest in working with aquatic or terrestrial organisms are preferred.

What you’ll be doing:

• Working with aquatic species such as fish and frogs.
• Responsible for maintaining both laboratory and aquatic facilities (including daily equipment checks, instrument maintenance and general laboratory housekeeping).
• Working to Good Laboratory Practice in compliance with standard operating procedures.
• Assisting on a range of regulatory and/or research-based laboratory studies to assess the effect of chemicals on different aquatic and/or terrestrial organisms (e.g. aquatic plants, algae, invertebrates and fish).
• Maintaining written and computer records.
• Data entry and checking study data in collaboration with study Directors.
• Supporting the Study Directors in calculating and reporting results.

What we’re looking for:

• Previous experience working with aquatic species such as fish and frogs.
• Experience in laboratory techniques, preferably experience of aquatic ecotoxicology project experience.
• Ability to keep clear and accurate written records of experimental work to a high standard
• Ability to work within a team and independently with supervision.
• Practical IT skills in software packages such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experienced in organising, prioritising and completing work to required standards and to tight deadlines.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and accommodating to changing work priorities.
• It is important to understand that when working with live animals (e.g. invertebrates and fish) that flexible working is often required. We would therefore especially welcome applications from individuals that are willing to work outside of core hours to support the work undertaken within our laboratories.
• A Home Office Personal Licence is desirable, but not essential.

What’s in it for you?

• ​A Salary of £25,090
• 25 days’ holiday (rising to 29) 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
• 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

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 and we’ll get back to you.