JOB SUMMARY

Do you want to be part of a team protecting Great Britain from exotic notifiable diseases?
If so, why not join us and make a difference. More than ever before the health of our environment, plants, animals and bees matters. Do you wish to be part of are part of an amazing, diverse team on the frontline in researching, investigating, and acting to protect the UK’s animal, plant and bee health? You will be helping to make a difference to the UK and contributing to global efforts to control and eradicate disease in plants, animals (such as Avian Influenza) and protecting global biodiversity.
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.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The successful candidate will carry out laboratory testing duties in the APHA York Laboratory. The role covers work in Parasitology, Molecular Biology and Wildlife Surveillance with support to other areas as required.
The purpose of the job is to be a member of a team carrying out sample testing to monitor for the presence of the parasites Echinococcus in foxes, and Trichinella in wildlife and domestic animal species.
All work is undertaken in a minimum of Containment Level 2 laboratories.

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 manager.

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.

Anisakis/Trichinella surveillance

• To learn the artificial digest method for Trichinella testing.
• Process samples received for testing by our customers.
• Record results onto LIMS
• Ensure the appropriate disposal of specimens and other clinical laboratory and animal waste.

Echinococcus surveillance

• Carry out fox collections.
• Provide support in the post-mortem room with sampling and recording of findings, including collection of samples and preparing instruments/trays.
• Preparation of samples prior to DNA/RNA extraction.
• DNA/RNA extraction procedures.
• PCR clean room procedures
• Performance of end-point and real time PCR
• Gel Electrophoresis

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
  Work activities may change depending on the needs of the business which may involve training for additional tests and tasks not detailed on this job description.

YOU WILL NEED TO DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:

• Experience of working within a laboratory
• Experience in molecular biology

TECHNICAL SKILLS

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

• Experience of working within a Laboratory
• Experience in Molecular Biology

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

Science