Description
Are you excited by the opportunity to support a healthy and sustainable Scottish aquaculture industry and to safeguard the health of wild fish populations?
An opportunity has arisen to join the Scottish Government Science family to work in the field of aquaculture as a Multidisciplinary Diagnostician, as part of a Diagnostic Group.
We are part of the Marine Directorate, working within the Science, Evidence, Data and Digital (SEDD) portfolio, under the Aquaculture, Fish Health and Biosecurity (AFHB) programme. AFHB helps support a healthy and sustainable aquaculture industry and protects wild fish populations through regulation, scientific advice, and research.
The primary role of the Multidisciplinary Diagnostician will be to apply diagnostic assays for testing samples provided by the Fish Health Inspectorate and external commercial clients used across different disciplines including virology, molecular, serological, histological and bacteriology base methods.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
* Process diagnostic and commercial samples across different disciplines (e.g. histology and virology).
* Analyse samples using scientific instruments, record results, and report findings in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
* Support laboratory service management, including ordering consumables, maintaining equipment, and training both internal and external staff.
* Manage their own workload, prioritise tasks to meet deadlines, and report directly to the Disease Diagnostic Delivery Lead.
* Support the effective implementation of diagnostic assays within FHI's risk-based surveillance programme.
* Ensure all work meets the high standards required for ISO 17025 accreditation.
* Assist with audits, investigate non-conforming work, and record and communicate outcomes of troubleshooting activities.
* Assist with writing and reviewing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
* Comply with all laboratory safety regulations, properly dispose of waste, and maintain a clean and safe laboratory environment.
Qualifications
Qualifications A degree in an appropriate subject or a minimum of three years relevant work experience. Success profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Technical / Professional Skills:
* Building and applying knowledge (Foundation) - Understands and objectively, and effectively, applies scientific and engineering approaches with rigour and integrity.
* Communicating science and engineering for government (Emerging) - Monitors work and engage with internal stakeholders to discuss and agree work priorities. Where required making decisions based on evidence.
* Developing science and engineering capability (Foundation) - Assists in the training and support others to increase capability in their area.
* Technical oversight and management (Emerging) - Understands the limitation of own knowledge, knowing when to gather advice, escalate issues and seek training.
* Broad thinking (Emerging) - Capable of suggesting and implementing improvements.
You can find out more about the skills required Here Experience
Due to the multidisciplinary nature of the laboratory, experience in two or more of the following areas is required:
* Tissue processing (fixing, dehydrating, and embedding specimens in wax).
* Tissue staining, and sectioning.
* Maintenance of cell lines and aseptic technique.
* Infection assays and cytotoxicity testing.
* Basic knowledge of molecular biology.
Behaviours:
* Working together – Level 2
You can find out more about Success Profiles here: Success profiles: candidate guide -
How to apply Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. sift and interviews are scheduled for January/February
In the event of a high volume of applications, candidates will have their applications initially assessed against the Experience criteria above. Candidates who pass this initial sift will have their applications fully assessed against all criteria.
About us The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer. As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules. Working pattern Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role. Due to the practical nature of this role, the post holder will be required to attend the Marine Lab in Aberdeen in person each working day. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. Security checks Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions). You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide. Equality statement We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. Further information Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.