Bacterial Characterisation Workgroup Leader (ID 4788)

Job summary

Do you want a role safeguarding standards of animal and plant health and welfare?

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.

We are recruiting to a senior management position, a Leader for the Bacterial Characterisation Workgroup (c. 32 staff), which is one of five Workgroups within the Department of Bacteriology. The Workgroup delivers the research element of the BFDS portfolio providing evidence in support of policy, as well as supporting diagnostics and surveillance, with oversight of national and international reference laboratories. You will lead the team in resourcing and delivery, provide leadership in people management, and ensure the delivery of science across the Workgroup in an appropriate environment according to relevant Health & Safety and Quality standards.

Job description

• Lead Bacterial Characterisation Workgroup (BAC3), working closely with team leads across the workgroup contributing to the development of the workgroup, as well as working with Leads in other Workgroups to build and maintain capacity.
• Work with the Bacterial Diseases & Food Safety (BDFS) Lead Scientist, the AMR, Salmonella and STEC Programme/Veterinary Leads and respective teams across APHA, for development and maintenance of the BDFS programme at the APHA.
• Liaise with VMD, on AMR Surveillance and Research, and Defra for Endemic Diseases Surveillance and Research, strengthening relationships and portfolios of work for research, surveillance and outbreak investigations.
• Lead liaison/closer working relationship with key partner institutes such as UKHSA in areas of AMR and Foodborne zoonoses. Ensure appropriate support is provided across BAC3/BAC2 so a rapid response can be mounted during outbreak.
• Set up strategic collaborations externally with Universities, Science Institutes, Companies/Industry to develop new funding streams and networks.
• Provide scientific oversight of the Molecular and Genomics component for the AMR, STEC, Salmonella, Core Bioinformatics and other teams within the workgroup and Department, providing support and helping development of the team leads and staff.
• Ensure projects are delivered in a timely manner, meeting all milestones and within budget. Consult with Lead Scientist and Head of Department, at earliest opportunity when any concerns arise in delivery of Objectives, drawing down budget or staff related issues.
• Support the development of a core bioinformatics team, including data management/storage issues, to assist departmental strategy in this area.
• Embed BAC3 structure and work with Team Leads to help build a stronger science base across the workgroup.
• Have experience of applying for funding, delivering accurate financial plans and scientific review of projects, including presenting to customers, external partners and at national/international conferences.
• Liaise with LS and HoD for BDFS activities, including for research and management, spending review uplifts, and any other matters arising.
• Have knowledge of relevant, current health and safety practices. Support BAC3 H&S lead to implement APHA H&S standards across the group.
• Have knowledge of Quality procedures and ensure that all teams within BAC3 are complying to correct procedures with all work being auditable and traceable, and carried out to the highest quality standards.
• Be involved in the site redevelopment, leading BAC3 through the current transition period and engagement with plans for development of the National Biosecurity Centre.

Person specification

You will need to demonstrate the following:

• Strong leadership skills with experience of managing and resourcing a significant scientific team.
• Strong scientific background in a discipline related to the advertised post.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (e.g., Defra, UKRI).
• Demonstrated expertise in genomics and molecular microbiology.
• Experience of working within an applied microbiological research environment.
• Knowledge of working to ISO9001 and/or ISO17025 quality systems.
• Good written and oral communication skills, including excellent publication profile and ability to present own work.

Security clearance

The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Government’s response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason, all postholders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria.

Applicantsmust be currently resident in the UK & have at least three years continuous UK residency as this is a requirement to work at the Weybridge site where the team and work is situated.

Workplace arrangements

This role is based at APHA Weybridge only due to the nature of the role and the duties required. This post requires you to be working on-site five days per week or less if part-time on a job share.

Qualifications

Undergraduate degree and PhD in a relevant scientific discipline with significant postdoctoral and leadership experience.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Provide a clear, concise overview of your technical knowledge related to the presentation topic and how you would apply it in this role.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £62,000, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £17,961 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Benefits offered also include:

• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities tailored to your role.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
• Staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee