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 scientific technical expertise for a wide range of projects in the bacteriology field within the Department of Bacteriology, APHA Weybridge. This might include work for Defra, government organisations such as the Food Standards Agency, veterinary customers, and academia or for those in bio-veterinary pharmaceuticals. Individual posts may be focused on specific types of activity, such as field investigations, culture of bacteria from samples, bacterial identification, typing, characterisation, aiding in production of diagnostic reagents or disinfection.
The posts are full-time, we may consider two part-time staff on a job-share basis if continuity can be arranged. The posts are 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
This is a junior position where full training and guidance across a range of bacteriological techniques will be provided. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly where scientific activities are likely to include some of the following:
1. Culture of different organisms ( E. coli, Salmonella spp., Staph aureus, Brucella spp., Campylobacter spp., Mycoplasmas or TB) on specialist media from a wide range of biological samples ( faeces, tissues, swabs or food samples).
2. Phenotypic tests including serological identification and/or typing, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and zone diffusion testing.
3. Assistance with the collection of samples farm animal premises, feed mills, abattoirs and hatcheries (requires availability to perform physically demanding field work, partly during unsocial hours, and occasional overnight stays in different parts of the country).
4. Production and standardisation of reagents for surveillance projects and international trade assays.
5. Tests to determine the efficacy of disinfectants.
6. Molecular tests including antimicrobial resistance gene detection by either single gene (PCR) or whole genome sequencing (WGS) approaches, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, other WGS related tests. Basic related �bioinformatics�.
7. Basic immunology including cell counting and immunoassay of cytokines.
8. Undertake serological tests to support research projects, international trade and OIE collaboration projects.
9. Speciation of bacteria by biochemical, genetic and MALDI-ToF approaches.
10. Presentation of data in tabular or graphical formats for compilation in reports or papers.
11. Responsibility as a room officer for a laboratory.
12. Working to quality (ISO 9001:2015 or ISO 17025) and safety standards.
13. Flexible working to contribute to a range of scientific projects in the laboratory and in the field.
14. Quality assurance testing of media.
15. Working to tight deadlines of commercial customers.
16. Work according to the latest version of the APHA safety policies.
Person specification
The post holder will work in busy teams in the Bacteriology department. They will be given the opportunity of receiving training in several aspects of the work, and full guidance will be provided. The post holder will be expected to deliver at pace in a team environment, be keen to learn and work accordingly to the latest Health and Safety and Quality guidance.
Essential scientific skills are listed below and are those required for the delivery of general bacteriology for our customers:
17. Basic microbiology and/or immunology knowledge.
18. Experience in the use of computer software including Microsoft Office.
19. Ability to organise own work and time.
20. An interest in the food animal production sector.
Qualifications
"A� levels or equivalent in science related subjects are required.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
21. Delivering at Pace
22. Working Together
23. Managing a Quality Service
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �27,245, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes �7,892 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.