Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location New Haw, South East England, KT15 3NB About the job Job summary Do you wish to be part of an amazing, diverse team on the frontline in researching, investigating, and acting to protect the UKs animal, plant, and bee health? If so, why not join us and make a difference. As a Senior Laboratory Scientist of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations (FAO) International reference laboratories for ortho- and paramyxoviruses (Animal [avian and swine] influenza and Newcastle Disease), you will ensure the delivery of the Defra and Internationally funded work programmes, related specialist reagent supply and virological investigations with collaborating overseas laboratories. The successful candidate will be expected to further support outbreak response, commercial and statutory diagnosis of a broad range of viruses, and manage staff, including work planning and personal development, as required. 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, high impact and highly relevant multidisciplinary science. Our People are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes. Job description Main areas of work will include: Manage and deliver all the functions of the WOAH/FAO International Reference Laboratory for Animal [avian and swine] influenza and avian paramyxoviruses, ensuring that targets are met. Provide support to wider work programmes including the National Reference Laboratory, research teams and notifiable disease outbreaks. Act as a Deputy Building Officer to support management of a Containment Level -3 (CL-3) (ACDP-3/SAPO-4) facility in ensuring building is compliant with relevant legislation (SAPO, ACDP, GMO, Schedule 5). Ensuring compliance of all staff to the safe use of the building. Maintain international links by collating laboratory outputs, analysing data, issuing reports to overseas laboratories and overseeing viral submissions worldwide including coordination of shipment and receipt of diagnostic and virus material internationally. Provide advice and technical support to a range of stakeholders including WOAH, FAO, WHO, UKHSA, OFFLU. Provide support to the National Reference laboratory in developing and maintaining involvement in international initiatives. Maintain stocks of virus, serum and reagents to the required quality standards for the International Reference Laboratory and APHA commercial catalogues. Provision of technical advice to customers regarding reagent use. Organising and participation in annual international proficiency panels with presentation of results and training courses for third-party countries. Organising and delivering training and workshops to partners, which may include international travel to partner laboratories. Responsibility for delivery of science to ensure compliance with UKAS 17025 and 9001 quality standards. Test consultant for swine influenza diagnosis. Conduct experimental and diagnostic work, some of which could involve the handling and sampling of laboratory animals, including holding a Home Office Personal License. Establish new techniques as necessary including support in writing and implementing SOPs as well as maintain, troubleshoot or improve existing methods. Act as Quality liaison officer assisting the department in maintaining an efficient and effective quality management system meeting the requirements of ISO9001:2015 certification and ISO17025 accreditation. Prepare written reports for inclusion into manuscripts, publications and project reports. Manage junior staff and train new staff members, visiting scientists and students as required. Person specification Experience and skills: You will need to demonstrate the following: Good written and oral communication skills. Technical laboratory experience in several of the following areas: - Virology experience e.g. cell/virus culture, titration. - Molecular biology e.g. nucleic acid extraction, PCR, sequencing. - Serology assays e.g. ELISA, immuno-diffusion assays, virus neutralisation. Knowledge of sequence analysis and understanding of phylogenetic analysis. Ability to input into the design, management, write up and presentation of specified work packages. Knowledge of and a willingness to work at Containment levels -2 and -3. Safety system awareness SAPO/ACDP compliance. Good understanding and experience of quality standards (such as UKAS17025, ISO9001). Be willing to hold a Home Office Personal Licence and assist with in vivo studies. Numeracy and IT literacy. Staff management and training skills. Experience of managing own workload and balancing competing priorities. A postgraduate degree in Biological sciences or equivalent experience. Staff will be required to work rostered on-call duties, weekends, Bank Holidays and occasional evenings. Out of hours work may be required in the event of a disease incident. When overtime or out-of-hours work is required, APHA Management reserves the right to change overtime patterns to meet requirements. You may be eligible for overtime payments and where overtime is approved you will receive appropriate payment. The successful candidate will be expected to have any necessary vaccinations and comply with health surveillance protocols. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. It will also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment. The post holder will need to wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required. The work of the post can be physically demanding, and due to access requirements to biosecure areas (laboratory and animal facilities), individuals must be physically able. Periodic travel within the UK or overseas may be required. A valid full driving licence is necessary or access to an alternative means of transport. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Seeing the Big Picture Changing and Improving Delivering at Pace Managing a Quality Service Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Knowledge of diagnostic assays for viral diseases Experience of quality standards for accredited testing Knowledge of virology Benefits Alongside your salary of £35,857, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £10,387 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 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 days 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. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. Application Process As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV-style template and a 500-word personal statement. These should align to the details in the Person Specification in the advert and the job description. Your personal statement should demonstrate your suitability for the role based on the Key Skills and Experience specified. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. Sift Sift and interview dates as well as the interview location to be confirmed. Interview If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be asked to give examples of Behaviours using Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) and will be assessed against the technical skills and experience requirements detailed in the Job description. A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed. Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview. Location Please be aware that this role will be contractually based in a Defra/APHA group workplace/office. As part of the pre-employment process, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s). Where the location is 'National' the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defras location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes. Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes. The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations. Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee. Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD. The role will be based at the Weybridge office. This post requires you to be working in the Laboratory five days per week or less if part-time. Reserve List A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Salary New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Visa Sponsorship Statement Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Reasonable Adjustment If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional. Accessibility If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. Criminal Record Check If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. Internal Fraud Database Check Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. Full Time Only This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying. The post is full-time, we may consider two part-time staff on a job share basis if continuity can be arranged. NSV For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting Higher Security Clearance Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter. All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to Weybridge may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer. The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Governments 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 residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have at least three years continuous UK residency as this is a requirement to work at the Weybridge site where the team and work is situated. Childcare Vouchers Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Medical Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Science Directorate HR Email : Science.DirectorateHRapha.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : defrarecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk Further information If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact: Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ to visit Civil Service Commission. Attachments JD HSO International Reference Laboratory (IRL) Senior Laboratory Scientist ID1956 Opens in new window (pdf, 176kB) APHA Information Pack (3) Opens in new window (pdf, 1992kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail