Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Assistant Scientific Officer (CR3118)

Job summary

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

Do you want to apply your communication and problem-solving skills in a role that provides variety and flexibility?

If so, why not join us and make a difference.

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.

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 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.

Surveillance and Laboratory Services (SLSD) performs testing in a number of areas for both diagnostic and surveillance purposes. The department plays a key role in delivering notifiable disease outbreak testing.

You will carry out diagnostic laboratory testing duties in the APHA Starcross Veterinary Investigation Centre. Work as part of a team handling the receipt, registering and testing of samples in an ACDP Containment Level 2/3 laboratory.

You will be required to;

• Work to Agency Safety and Quality standards (ISO:17025 / 9001)
• Follow approved Standard Operating Procedures, Risk Assessments and Codes of Practice
• Provide assistance with other duties in the Regional VIC when workload demands

We can also offer you a fully funded Biological Science Degree Apprenticeship at Level 6 or a Level 3 Laboratory Technician if you wish at the next available intake. There are specific qualifications required to undertake this apprenticeship.

This role is based at APHA Starcross Veterinary Investigation Centre, Staplake Mount, Starcross, Exeter.

Job description

This is an excellent opportunity to build technical expertise in bacteriology and antimicrobial susceptibility testing while working in a collaborative laboratory environment that supports scientific excellence, quality and continuous improvement.

To carry out any duties commensurate within the grade and purpose of the post including, but not limited to the following:

General duties:

• Receiving samples into the laboratory and processing the tests
• Preparing samples for dispatch to other laboratories
• Dealing with queries received relating to laboratory submissions
• Maintain equipment records and logs
• Perform housekeeping duties to schedule
• Dispose of samples and spent reagents appropriately
• Keep line management informed of potential problems/anomalies

Diagnostic testing:

You will receive training and support across a range of specialist laboratory techniques, including:

• Culture and examination of bacterial specimens
• Preparation and inoculation of microbiological culture media
• Reading, interpreting and recording culture results
• Performing biochemical assays to support bacterial identification
• Conducting antimicrobial susceptibility testing using a range of methodologies, including: Supporting the development, optimisation and validation of antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods and contributing to AMR surveillance, monitoring and research activities as required.

Health and Safety:

• Contribute to a positive safety culture by following safety policies, standards and procedures
• Understand and follow controls outlined in Risk Assessments
• Participate in contingency exercises and other safety training
• Participate in safety audits/inspections to support the local safety manager

Quality:

• Ensure equipment maintenance duties are carried out and to schedule
• Maintain accurate record keeping
• Work to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Work to quality standards (ISO 17025 / 9001)
• Participate in appropriate external proficiency testing schemes
• Participate in audits to support the local quality manager

While the primary focus of this role is antimicrobial resistance testing and surveillance, responsibilities may evolve to meet changing business and scientific priorities. Training will be provided to support the development of additional laboratory skills and involvement in new testing activities as required.

Person specification

Experience and skills

You will need to demonstrate the following:

• Implementation of and maintaining quality and safety
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Well organised with good attention to detail
• Ability to follow instructions
• Experience of working with bacteriological laboratory techniques and/or antimicrobial resistance (AMR) testing in a research, diagnostic, or clinical laboratory environment
• Prior experience of, or a willingness to learn, laboratory techniques (e.g. pipetting, culturing, autoclaving)

If you wish to undertake a Level 6 Biological Degree Apprenticeship you will require:

• Science “A” levels or equivalent
• GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent) OR be willing to complete Functional Skills modules in working level Maths and English as part of the apprenticeship pathway.

For Level 3 you will not require A Levels in Science or equivalent but will require GCSEs in Maths and English (or equivalent).

Government apprenticeship requirements state that the apprenticeship will provide “substantive new skills and learning” and that the apprenticeship programme it is “materially different to any other training undertaken or qualification held”. For this reason, applicants who already have a science degree cannot be accepted.

Workplace arrangements

The post holder must work from the location listed in the Location section of the advert. This post requires you to be working onsite at APHA Starcross five days per week or less if part-time.

Ways of Working
Out of hours work may be required in the event of an incident or outbreak of disease. Staff may be required to work rostered weekends, Bank Holidays and occasional evenings. When overtime or out-of-hours work is required, APHA Management reserves the right to change overtime patterns to meet requirements. You may be eligible for overtime payments and where overtime is approved you will receive appropriate payment.

The successful candidate will need to comply with a number of health protocols and wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required. The work involved in this post can be physically demanding, therefore a level of physical fitness is required. This is due to access requirements to biosecure areas.

Periodic travel within the UK and EU will be required and this could include farm or abattoir visits as part of ongoing research. The successful candidate may have to ensure that no contact is made with farmed animals for a period of 1-2 days or more before visiting