Assistant Scientist - York, United Kingdom - Capita

Capita

Verified Company

York, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

About the role

As a member of the Entomology Team, you will contribute to the delivery of entomology and acarology identification services. You will be asked to deliver across the breadth of the work delivered by the team. This will include preparation of samples for identification and curation of museum specimens.

The post holder will be expected to undertake training in sample preparation and in the identification of insects and mites both in support of the UK Plant Health Service and from commercial samples.

Much of the work will be delivered under a Defra Plant Health Quarantine Licence and as such the post holder will be required to work meticulously and in compliance with standards and procedures.

Job title:

Assistant Scientist - Entomology

What you'll be doing:

Conduct work under a Defra Plant Health Quarantine Licence in compliance with standard operating procedures.
Examining and screening plant material, soil and seeds for invertebrates or associated damage
Preparing samples for identification (Preliminary identification and microscope slide mounting of specimens)
Assisting with museum curation tasks, including labelling, maintenance, pest management and collections digitisation.
Ordering equipment and consumables
Maintaining accurate written and computer records
General laboratory cleaning
You will be expected to participate in a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme, including training in the identification of insects and mites of plant health and agronomic importance.

What we're looking for:

A keenness to develop knowledge of entomological biology and taxonomy is highly desired.
The post holder will be expected to work in a laboratory and meticulously follow protocols and standard operating procedures.
The position involves working with both live and dead insects, mites, spiders and other invertebrates, so feeling comfortable with this is key.
Practical IT skills in software packages such as Microsoft Word and Excel
Additional skills that will be desirable are using microscope equipment, working to accredited standards such as ISO 9001and ISO 17025, experience of museum curation and experience of microscope slide preparations.

About Capita | FERA

Capita FERA is part of Capita plc, the UK's leading provider of business process management and integrated professional support service solutions, with 68,000 staff across the UK, Europe, South Africa and India.

Capita entered a Joint Venture with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and FERA provides scientific services to government and commercial customers, such as food retailers and manufacturers of crop protection products, in the UK and overseas.

What's in it for you?

A starting salary of £23,000
23 days holiday (rising to 27) with the opportunity to buy extra leave
Company matched pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks' fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave and plenty more
Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology
Fera supports flexible working and family friendly practices, including access to different working patterns, supporting working in different locations, and a flexi time system
At our purposebuilt facility situated just outside the beautiful city of York, Fera staff enjoy state of the art facilities, a nursery, onsite gym, staff restaurant, and onsite parking

You'll get the chance to follow your chosen career path anywhere in Capita. You'll be joining a network of experienced, innovative and dedicated individuals across multiple disciplines and sectors.

There are countless opportunities to learn new skills and develop in your career, and we'll provide the support you need to do just that.

Our purpose is to create a better outcome for you.

What we hope you'll do next:

To view our Covid-19 and process adjustments information, please visit the Capita Careers site.

Equal Opportunities

Location:

York
,

United Kingdom

Time Type:

Full time

Contract Type:

Permanent