Veterinary Research Officer
Veterinary Research Officers report to a Senior Veterinary Research Officer and are primarily involved in scientific work within one of the 4 Branches of VSD: Bacteriology, Disease Surveillance and Investigation, Chemical Surveillance, and Virology.
There is currently one permanent post available in the Disease Surveillance and Investigation Branch in pathology/postmortem.
Our People Vision is to:
* Attract, empower, and grow purpose-driven staff with the passion and capability to pursue excellence, embrace technology, and cultivate innovation and change.
* This is how we do great science.
* Great people. Great science.
The Role
The successful applicant’s duties will include the following:
Postmortem/Histopathology/Disease Surveillance
Duties will include carrying out pathological examinations of animal carcasses and other specimens. This work will involve gross and histopathological examinations, reporting results to private veterinary practitioners and other customers. Participation in a rota for scheduling, interpreting, and reporting results of other diagnostic tests including clinical chemistry, diagnostic bacteriology, virology, serology, and parasitology is also required. The post holders may assist in the operation and expansion of AFBI’s Cattle Health Scheme.
Excellent facilities are available to support pathologists/disease surveillance VROs in their diagnostic work including immunohistochemistry, clinical pathology, electron microscopy, bacteriology, virology, serology, and analytical chemistry laboratories. Opportunities may exist to participate in research projects, and staff are encouraged to publish scientific papers in international journals.
Management
Assisting senior management in the management of staff and other resources as required, including contributing to the preparation of business plans, staff reporting, management of budgets, and ensuring compliance with Health and Safety, biocontainment, and other relevant legislation.
Technology/Knowledge Transfer
Undertaking technology/knowledge transfer and representational duties, which may include participation and presentation in national, international, or local veterinary, agricultural, and other scientific meetings, as well as preparation of advisory articles, disease surveillance reports, and scientific publications.
Veterinary and Scientific Advice
Providing expert veterinary and scientific advice on animal disease matters to veterinary practitioners, farmers, industry, and government.
Research and Development
Veterinary Research Officers are encouraged to participate in research and development activities in animal health, welfare, and food safety, including designing and carrying out studies, writing papers for publication in scientific journals, and presenting findings at scientific meetings. This work may involve working with a wide range of pathogens, some of which are zoonotic, and with animals infected with such agents.
Other Duties
Veterinary Research Officers may be required to carry out duties other than those listed above, according to AFBI’s business needs, including as part of the Institute’s response to a major epizootic disease, food-chain, or other emergency. They may also be required to teach university or other students and to carry out duties under the Animal Scientific Procedures Act. The successful applicants may be required to travel locally, nationally, or internationally to perform their duties and may occasionally work outside of normal office hours, particularly in relation to animal disease or food chain emergency incidents.
The above is not meant to be an exhaustive list but provides a good indication of the main duties of the post. The emphasis on particular duties will vary over time according to business needs.
Employee Benefits
The salary for the post will be within the range £55,207 - £59,049, with pay increases on an incremental basis provided staff performance reports are satisfactory. Starting salary will be at the minimum of the scale.
AFBI offers employees an unrivalled benefits package. For further information please click here.
The successful candidate will be based at AFBI Stormont, Stoney Road, Belfast, BT4 3SD, however, they may also be expected to work at other sites in Northern Ireland as required.
To submit your application, click the apply button.
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