Job summary
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and works on behalf of the Scottish Government and Welsh Government. Our diverse teams of over 3,000 skilled and committed professionals come together to provide research, advice, and support to UK Government for safeguarding animal, public and plant health for benefit of the environment and economy.�
The Science Directorate (SD) delivers high quality, impactful and highly relevant multidisciplinary science. Our people are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes.�
To provide support in the maintenance, development and delivery of Brucella diagnostics and R&D activities, primarily within a containment level 2 (CL2) laboratory. Manage the production of diagnostic reagents and antigens supporting UK surveillance, international trade and commercial sales. Work is undertaken in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 17025:2017 quality standards where applicable.�
This is post is full-time, we may consider two part-time staff on a job-share basis if continuity can be arranged. The post is based at the Weybridge APHA laboratories. Attendance at the laboratories is essential and therefore the post holder needs to be able to work from the APHA Weybridge site.
Job description
1. Provide a test troubleshooting service for all Brucella ISO17025 accredited immunological tests undertaken in BAC5 and the Surveillance and Laboratory Services Department (SLSD). Be able to prioritise existing duties to react to test issues which may impact international trade, UK surveillance and commercial sales.
2. Manage the reagent collection including the production and standardisation of Brucella diagnostic reagents (ELISA, RBT, SAT, CFT, RSA) for Defra funded surveillance project SB4056 and SB4100, international trade assays undertaken by SLSD and VETQAS proficiency testing schemes.
3. Support the testing requirements of the Brucella diagnostic laboratory (CL2), gaining and maintaining competency in a variety of serological assays. Undertake confirmatory serological testing (ELISA, SAT, CFT, RBT) on samples, EQA panels, antigen preparations as part of WOAH collaborations, routine diagnostics, and research projects.
4. Manage the production, standardisation and supply of diagnostic antigens produced in the CL3 facility including the use of Integra and relevant databases.
5. Participate in immunological research projects through the provision of ELISA testing support for novel and existing antigen preparations.
6. Undertake quality control testing for media and reagents including Ecometric testing in CL3.
7. Undertake Health and Safety related activities including contingency drills and fire drills. Write, review and maintain relevant risk assessments and SOPs as required.
8. Provide support and information to international colleagues as part of APHA�s WOAH Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis status. Participate in training opportunities as required.
9. Represent the Brucella team at conferences and meetings as required.
10. Room officer duties for primary laboratories and associated facilities, ensure the laboratory and equipment is operational.
11. Management of one ASO.
12. Work to ISO 9001:2015 and where applicable ISO 17025:2017 quality standards.
Person specification
The post holder must have�
13. Experience of diagnostic testing in a laboratory environment
14. Knowledge and experience of standard bacteriological or transferable microbiological techniques
15. Willingness to work responsibly in ACDP3/SAPO3 containment laboratories at APHA Weybridge
16. Willingness to work on additional ACDP3/SAPO3 pathogens as required
17. Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.
18. Awareness of ISO 17025 and ISO 9001 quality standards
19. An understanding of zoonotic pathogens
20. A knowledge of surveillance systems for notifiable diseases
21. Report writing skills
22. Test troubleshooting capability in a laboratory setting
The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Government�s response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason all post holders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the CTC residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have a minimum of 3 years continuous UK residency. �If you cannot meet this criteria CTC clearance will not be possible as this is part of pre-employment checks before taking up the post.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a minimum of 3 A levels including a qualification in biology, chemistry or mathematics
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
23. Working Together
24. Changing and Improving
25. Managing a Quality Service
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �30,827, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes �8,930 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
In return for your dedication and hard work, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. Inclusion, support as the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA. Our benefits include generous annual leave, a generous employer contributory pension (, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme, reward vouchers and in-year bonuses. We also offer additional days off if accrued extra hours (flexi-time �if accumulated), three paid volunteering day per year. We also have a social committee who run team building and fun events at the Weybridge site. Further details can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.�
Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role.