Overview
Do you want a role safeguarding standards of animal and plant health and welfare?
Do you love working as part of a team, bringing an enthusiastic approach every day?
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, because it helps us be more innovative and make better decisions. We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all individuals. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, and we hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.
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.
Role
An experienced scientist with experience and interest in research and development of diagnostic tests is required to support of the National and International Reference Laboratory (NRL/IRL) functions of the Mycoplasma Team, within the Exotic Bacteria Workgroup of the Department of Bacteriology at APHA Weybridge. The post holder will manage and coordinate research, test development and validation activities within the Mycoplasma team, delivering workstreams aimed at control and prevention of economically important diseases of livestock. The postholder will develop underpinning technical expertise to provide advice to the leadership team within the NRL and to stakeholders. The post provides opportunities for developing and expanding expertise through external collaboration, with occasional national and international travel.
Responsibilities
* Develop and validate new tests within a team of National and International Reference Laboratory (NRL/IRL) scientists.
* Management / delivery of underpinning research employing cultural, molecular, genomic analysis and phenotypic tools to detect, identify and characterise veterinary mycoplasmas, working to project milestones. There will be a requirement for some work to be conducted within a Containment Level 3 containment facility environment.
* Support the Mycoplasma NRL laboratory diagnostic capability and official laboratories, developing expertise to provide advice to customers and other stakeholders.
* Collaborate with scientists and veterinarians within the agency and external organisations, including internationally, to deliver science and expand knowledge and skills commensurate with NRL and Defra surveillance and research requirements.
* Preparation of peer-reviewed scientific publications, presentations, validation reports and Standard Operating Procedures.
* Develop concept notes, research, and other proposals.
* Represent the Reference Laboratory and APHA at national and international meetings, when visiting official laboratories, collaborators and stakeholders and hosting international visitors.
* Liaise closely with managers/project leads, and internal/external collaborators to help meet deadlines and assist in project budget management.
* Manage and support development of other scientists.
* Liaise with co-workers and Team Lead to support Mycoplasma emergency response capability for range of livestock which includes a requirement to work in Containment Level 3 containment laboratories.
* Maintain a safe working environment. Implement and ensure personal compliance with all health and safety requirements.
* Ensure maintenance of ISO9001 and ISO17025 quality systems.
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