Jason studied biology at the University of Stirling and a PhD in the Department of Genetics at the University of Leicester. Two years at Brewing Research International were followed by three years at the Laboratory of the Government Chemist.

Jason moved to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in 2000. His work at APHA has involved evaluating and introducing new laboratory diagnostic technology, working towards ensuring the APHA is using up-to-date and modern testing methods, including PCR.

More recently, he has been involved with bovine TB vaccine and diagnostic research and is currently the workgroup leader for the Bovine TB research group in the Department of Bacteriology at APHA Weybridge. He is the named expert for the APHA WOAH reference lab for mammalian tuberculosis.

Jason lectures in veterinary diagnostic methods at the Royal Veterinary College and also carries out assessments of diagnostic test validation data as part of the test validation team at APHA which grants approval to tests prior to adoption as official UK veterinary laboratory tests.