Mycoplasma Scientist and Laboratory Manager (ID 4785)

Job summary

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

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.

The Department of Bacteriology is seeking a scientist in the Mycoplasma Team. You will support Defra-funded and National and International Reference Laboratory functions focussed on surveillance and research of exotic veterinary Mycoplasma species, comprising delivery of serological and other tests and developing new methods to reduce disease risk. You will provide scientific, technical and analytical skills, working within a multidisciplinary team and with others within, and external to the Agency. You will support the emergency response diagnostic capability of the Mycoplasma team.

We can also offer you a fully funded Apprenticeship at Level 5 in Laboratory Management (Technical Scientist) at the next available intake. There are specific qualifications required to undertake this apprenticeship.

Job description

Working within the Mycoplasma Team provide delivery of bacteriological science for Defra and a range of commercial customers including academia and those in the veterinary bioscience/pharmaceutical sector within the Mycoplasma Team. You will be expected to work flexibly to contribute to diagnostic testing and underpinning scientific projects, with opportunity to develop deep Mycoplasma serological expertise and act as test and laboratory manager. Scientific activities are likely to include some of the following: -

• Culture of Mycoplasma, on specialist media isolated from a wide range of biological samples (e.g., tissues, fluids, swabs, or environmental samples).
• Phenotypic tests including immunoassay (including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), serum agglutination and other immunodiagnostic approaches
• antimicrobial or disinfectant resistance susceptibility testing such as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).
• Speciation of bacteria by genetic, serological and other approaches.
• Molecular tests including DNA/RNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or isothermal amplification.
• Analysis of data generated from phenotypic, molecular, and immunological techniques.
• Preparation of data in tabular or graphical formats (using MS Excel, PowerPoint, Graphpad), for presentation in reports and manuscripts.
• Responsibility as a room officer for a laboratory, with opportunity to develop as test and laboratory manager.
• Working to quality (9001:2015 or UKAS 17025) and the latest version of the APHA safety policies and standards.
• Quality assurance testing of media.
• Participating and assisting with preparation of bacterial biological material in vivo infection studies.
• Support for working on underpinning research and development opportunities might be required.
• Working to tight deadlines of commercial customers and outbreak response.
• Line management duties.

Person specification

You will need

• experience working within a biology laboratory, with some knowledge of immunodiagnostic tests.
• experience producing reports from collected data.
• knowledge of laboratory quality systems.
• experience working to standard operating procedures and risk assessments.
• experience working with basic software (such as MS Excel, PowerPoint, Access).

If you wish to undertake the Level 5 Laboratory Manager Apprenticeship you will require:

• 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.

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 UKhave 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 post requires you to be working on-site five days per week or less if part-time on a job share. This role is based at the Weybridge site only.

Ways of working

Periodic travel within the UK and EU may occasionally be required and this could include visits to regional laboratories.

Out of hours work may be required. 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.

Health clearance

The post will also require Health clearance. You will be expected to complete a questionnaire on your general health and have any necessary vaccinations or health surveillance, including skin sensitisers. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. It may also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing

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:

• Give an example of when you have had to interpret scientific data and how you presented the results.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £34,434, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £9,975 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 discount scheme.
• Three day