Laboratory Facilities Supervisor

Join us as a Facilities Supervisor and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!

As a Laboratory Facilities Supervisor, you will oversee the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the molecular laboratories within the Plant Health Team, these facilities include a variety of specialist labs with different functions, all of which will fall under your responsibility. In this role, you will act as the primary point of contact for the teams who use these laboratories, so strong communication skills and a collaborative approach are essential. This position sits within the Molecular Team and works closely with the Molecular Facilities Manager to ensure facilities are well-maintained, compliant, and efficiently run.

What you’ll be doing:

• Oversee the day-to-day running of the Molecular Technology Facility, including responsibility for planning and scheduling equipment maintenance, upkeep and laboratory standards.
• Communication with users of the facilities, dealing with issues and gathering feedback. Also undertake inductions and training for new staff and visitors.
• Chairing a monthly facilities meeting to address issues and communicate information to all users.
• Undertake procurement activities for the facilities including working with suppliers to streamline and provide cost savings.
• Ensure both ISO 17025 and ISO 9001 quality standards and health and safety standards are upheld within the facility.
• Help with long term planning for the facilities include replacement of equipment and business cases.
• Provide molecular support to diagnostic work during busy periods.

What we’re looking for:

• A working knowledge of laboratory facilities. Experience of a molecular laboratory and/or containment level II is desirable. (Applicants without a science qualification will need to demonstrate appropriate relevant experience).
• Excellent planning and organisational skills along with clear record keeping.
• Experience of working to accredited standards such as ISO 17025 and ISO 9001.
• Strong time management skills, you will be expected to provide timely communications to facility users and be able to troubleshoot issues in a busy environment.
• Excellent team working skills, communicate with a range of users and quickly recognise and flag-up issues when they arise. Good IT skills, particularly in the use of databases and Microsoft applications including Outlook, are essential.
• The post holder will be expected to work in the laboratory, meticulously follow protocols and standard operating procedures and maintain high quality standards.
• Additionally, an interest in plant health pest and diseases is desirable.

What’s in it for you?

• ?25 days’ holiday (rising to 29) with the opportunity to buy & sell 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
• 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 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.

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.