Job summary
APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.
We are looking for compassionate, dedicated individuals who strive for excellence and integrity and who put animal health and welfare at the heart of everything they do.
We currently have an exciting opportunity for a manager of scientific projects and fieldworkin the wildlife disease research team within the Wildlife Team. This is a great opportunity to gain new skills in applied ecology and valuable experience of wildlife-related fieldwork and project management.��
The Wildlife Team are based at two locations (Sand Hutton, York and Woodchester Park, Gloucestershire). This post will be contractually based at Woodchester Park where the team delivers a range of mainly badger-related wildlife research, scientific, technical and field-based services, and projects for TB policy teams in Defra and Welsh Government. The team comprises of scientists with expertise in ecology, epidemiology, veterinary science and wildlife management, and highly skilled fieldworkers. Principal areas of research activity include a well-established long-term field study on TB and badger ecology and field projects monitoring vaccinated badger populations.
The purpose of the job is to support ongoing research activity on badger ecology and wildlife disease management; to provide project management/delivery; and to assist in providing expert advice on related subject areas to Defra and the Welsh Government.
Job description
The postholder will contribute significantly to research across a range of wildlife projects, in particular work that supports government policy on managing TB in badgers. This includes being involved in the design and delivery of research projects, managing large datasets and providing technical advice to Defra or Welsh Government in support of policy development.
In particular, the post-holder will play a key role in the delivery of an established study of badger ecology and TB at Woodchester Park. This includes collating and managing data collected over several years, data analysis,managing the logistics and budget of the project, collecting data in the field. The current programme of work is focused on analysis of trapping, GPS, contact network and disease status data relating to the long-term study population. You will be expected to lead on elements of these analyses with support from other scientists.
The job may also allow you to be involved in ongoing surveillance for other diseases in wildlife species. You will work within an integrated and dynamic team environment where several work programmes often require the sharing of resources or team skill sets, and so you will need to be adaptable and flexible to changing requirements.
1. Conduct analysis of demographic, behavioural and epidemiological data.� You will be required to lead on specific work packages involving the analysis of complex data, and to draft related papers for publication and reports to policy customers.
2. Managing research projects, including an established study of badger movements and social behaviour using radio/GPS collars. This includes project planning, monitoring delivery against milestones, monitoring the budget, equipment procurement, co-ordinating staffing, landowner liaison, organising equipment and arranging logistics.
3. Provide practical support to research projects on TB in badgers, an on-going trap and release programme involving field-work and taking biological samples. Undertaking field work when required including surveying, radio-tracking and deploying wildlife cameras.
4. Lead on data collation and management for certain projects including responsibility for data on badger movements and contact behaviour. This involves developing expertise in programming collars and downloading data from them, collating data collected over several years, cleaning and extracting data for analysis and reporting.
5. Provide support to projects for policy customers (Defra and devolved administrations), requiring coordination of data collection by remote field teams, laboratory staff and external stakeholders, data checking, trouble shooting and subsequent reporting.
6. Support delivery of training within APHA and externally ( to APHA vets or visiting students), in the field and in the classroom, as part of a training package on badgers and TB.
7. Be an adaptable team member, able to undertake a variety of other functions and tasks as required.� These may be desk- or field-based, supporting wildlife biosecurity work or collection of biological samples from wildlife in support of a range of projects.
8. Undertake line management of staff.
Person specification
Experience:
9. Experience in the analysis of complex ecological/epidemiological data showing competence in applying a range of statistical techniques.
10. Experience of data management, eg. using bespoke databases to collate and manipulate data. �
11. Experience of scientific project management including planning, monitoring delivery against milestones, monitoring a budget, organising logistics etc.
12. Good practical understanding of field-based wildlife research and/or management, and preferably some experience of handling animals in that context.
13. Willingness to undertake laboratory and field-work (on occasion away from base/home).
14. Experience of communicating technical and/or scientific knowledge to expert or laypersons.
15. Comfortable with both field and desk-based work as a large proportion of time will be office based.
16. Practical, with a flexible attitude and be able to adapt to changing priorities.
17. Computer-literate and proficient in a range of Microsoft Office applications (including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, Powerpoint).�
Qualifications
Biology/ecology-related PhD or equivalent wildlife management/research experience.
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
18. Some evidence of advanced skills in data handling, statistical analysis or GIS, eg. using software packages such as Microsoft Access, R or ArcGIS.
19. An understanding of vertebrate ecology, and of the principles and practice of wildlife management for disease control.
20. Ability to work effectively within a team, and ensure good relations with project stakeholders and customers.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �32,136, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes �8,676 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
21. 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and privilege days
22. Learning and development tailored to your role
23. An environment with flexible working options
24. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
25. A with an average employer contribution of 27%