Research Scientist - Swine Fever and Pestivirus Unit SR20.87 United Kingdom
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Location
About the job
Job summary
The role will plan, manage and execute research into the virology, pathogenesis, and the host's response to, veterinary viruses particularly African and classical swine fever and ruminant pestiviruses..
The post will generate expertise and provide consultancy both inside the agency as well as to national and international stakeholders on pestivirus and swine fever viral diseases and will support the disease emergency responses in the Virology Department.
This post will support the National Reference Laboratories for classical swine fever (CSF) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and the disease emergency responses in the Virology Department.
Job description
The successful candidate will:
- Manage research projects; design and execute approaches for scientific investigations, ensuring completion of project objectives and milestones to the customers satisfaction; delivery of science in accord with relevant Quality Assurance standard ISO9001 and within budget.
- Communication of science through participation in internal and external meetings, and to ensure a high quality programme of scientific approaches published in peer reviewed literature with high impact.
- Support the Workgroup’s senior scientist team, through deputising and delegated tasks, and contribute to strategic planning.
- Act as deputy disease consultant for swine fever and related diseases, including CSF, BVDV, BDV and provide expertise on ASF.
- Technical specialist for ASF and support the NRL through local consultancy in APHA.
- Develop and seek opportunities for the initiation of (collaborative) research proposals, both nationally and internationally and draft applications for funding bodies.
- Maintain and enhance links across the national and international stakeholder community through provision of expertise and influencing.
- Provide consultancy to stakeholders such as Defra, and the industry.
- Supervise and provide training for members of staff, students, and visitors in the workgroup.
- Manage technical knowledge for pestivirus and swine fever viral diseases, feeding into the Virology Dept.
- Ensure that self and team maintain safe operation of the laboratory, including CL3 and 4 high containment laboratories, ensuring staff are aware of and adhere to appropriate safety procedures and emphasise a culture of continuous improvement in health and safety.
- Act as room officer for a designated laboratory, implementing and maintaining good laboratory practice and standards therein.
- Participate in the disease emergency response in the event of a disease outbreak and be part of the on call rota.
Person specification
- Knowledge of and practical experience with Virology/Microbiology
- Knowledge of virus characterisation, i.e. through pathogenesis studies and characterisation of the hosts response
- Good written and oral communication skills to deliver outputs such as manuscripts, presentations, applications and reports
- Bio-safety expertise/experience
Staff will be required to work participate in rostered on-call duties, to cover occasional disease investigations on weekends and Bank Holidays. 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.
Periodic travel within the UK or overseas may be required. The work may require attendance during post mortem examinations.
Out of hours work may be required in the event of an incident or during research investigations..
You 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, and due to access requirements to bio-secure areas, individuals must be physically able.
Depending on the areas of work involved you will be expected to have any necessary vaccinations or health surveillance.
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 post holders 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. UK residency is required from 3 to 10 years depending on the level of Security. However, residency qualification maybe reduced for certain roles and will be considered on a case by case basis. Should you be successful at interview you will be required to undertake this security check along with Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check. This includes: identity, employment status, nationality and immigration status, criminal records and any other essential pre-employment checks. You will be required to evidence this documentation.
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
Benefits
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the assessment process, your application will consist of a CV and a Statement of Suitability of your experience (maximum of 500 words) which demonstrates your suitability for the role based on the Key Skills and Experience specified in the Job Description.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates as well as the interview location to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours using Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR). You will be assessed against the technical skills and experience requirements detailed in the Job description.
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
Location
Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Reasonable Adjustment
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check maybe carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Medical
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team :
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected]
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission
