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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 2,500 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 duties of a scientist /technician in APHA laboratories will include sample testing in order to establish the diagnosis of animal disease, monitoring animal health, screening for incursion of exotic disease, and performing statutory testing. A wide variety of tests are undertaken utilising serology, microbiology, parasitology and molecular biology techniques. All work is undertaken in a minimum of Containment level 1 facilities, with some work being undertaken at the higher containment levels. The job involves working with pathogens and hazardous samples, and must be undertaken following safe working practices as specified in instructions and safety documentation. All laboratories perform to ISO 17025 standards, and all work must conform to these standards. The APHA operate a network of laboratories offering different test portfolios at each site, requiring the job holder to understand the wider role of the department, and how this fits with other departments of the wider agency.

Working as part of a cross department team of veterinary, laboratory and administration staff to deliver testing results to internal and external customers. The work undertaken can be varied and may range from registering submissions on the LIMS IT system, undertaking repetitious tasks, to undertaking testing that requires specialist and demanding technical ability. Laboratory staff are required to liaise with other agency laboratories and may be required to communicate with external customers.

Laboratory scientists are required to gain a high level of competency in all technical disciplines undertaken at the laboratory and are required to work in different areas of the laboratory involving different disciplines on a rotational basis to provide testing cover where it is needed.

Health and safety:

• Contributing to a positive safety culture by following Agency safety policies and procedures.
• Understanding and following controls in Risk Assessments.
• Ensuring equipment maintenance duties are carried out in all areas of the laboratory.
• Participate in contingency exercises and other safety training.
• Participate in safety audits/ inspections to support the local safety manager.

Quality:

• Accurate record keeping.
• Working to Standard Operating Procedures.
• Working to quality standards (ISO 17025).
• Participate in proficiency testing schemes.
• Participate in audits to support the local quality manager.

Gamma Interferon duties:

• Ensure all samples received for gamma testing are processed as efficiently as possible.
• Ensure reagents and consumables records are maintained.
• Register submissions on to the LIMS system.
• Stimulation of high volumes of whole blood samples.
• Carry out ELISA testing.
• Data entry of sample information.

Media Production:

• Preparation of solid and liquid culture media.
• Using aseptic technique
• Use of autoclaves
• Handling of bacteriological reference cultures and maintaining stocks.
• Ensuring a clean and tidy work area
• Maintaining necessary records and paperwork
• Maintaining stocks and replenishing supplies.

Salmonella duties:

• Ensure all samples received for Salmonella and animal by-products testing are processed as efficiently as possible.
• Ensure reagents and consumables records are maintained.
• Register submissions on to the LIMS system.
• Carry out microbiological testing.
• Data entry of sample information and reporting of results.
• Liaise with colleagues in other APHA laboratories.

General duties:

• Receipt and dispatch of postal samples on a LIMS system.
• Recording test data and findings.
• Housekeeping duties.
• Preparation of critical test reagents.
• Disposal of samples and spent reagents.
• Keeping line management informed of problems/ anomalies.

The post holder will be required to:

• Work to Agency safety and quality standards.
• Test submissions using scientific techniques used in APHA
• Provide support and undertake duties on behalf of local Quality and Safety managers.

The post holder must hold a UK Driving Licence or have access to alternate means of transportation, as they will be required to travel between APHA SLSD sites.

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 of the post can be physically demanding. Due to access requirements to biosecure areas, individuals must be physically able.

Out of hours work may be required in the event of an incident.

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

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

• Managing a Quality Service

Job contact :

Name :
Gemma Aliaj
Email :
gemma.aliaj@apha.gov.uk

Recruitment team :

Email :
defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk