Virologist

Virologist

Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 28th May 2024

A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Contract type: Permanent

Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

About the job

Do you wish to be part of an amazing, diverse team on the frontline in researching, investigating, and acting to protect the UK’s animal and public health?

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

As a virologist in the Viral Zoonoses (VZ) Workgroup, you will deliver work on cross-cutting zoonotic/reverse zoonotic viral disease projects including SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses for a range of funders – Defra, EU Horizon 2020, UKRI. Development and application of diagnostic and research tools and working as part of a team within the National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) for Rabies and Viral Zoonoses is a key part of the role.

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.

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

Main areas of work will include:

• Lead on scientific delivery for coronavirus related projects by planning, organising and carrying out research and diagnostic activities as part of a team.
• Undertake laboratory work including classical virology, molecular (PCR, sequencing, variant analyses etc) and immunological (serology, innate, cellular) analyses at containment levels 2 and 3.
• Ensure the communication of outcomes towards project milestones and deliverables.
• Data analyses with preparation of project reports, presentations and manuscripts; preparation and submission of research and surveillance results for publication and delivering presentations at national and international scientific conferences and meetings.
• Work closely with staff across the VZ workgroup, relevant departments in APHA including pathology, animal sciences and wildlife teams to deliver R&D in the field of viral zoonoses, particularly SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses in animals.
• Represent the VZ Workgroup at local, national and international levels with a broad range of stakeholders including Government policy makers, other Agencies / Organisations, academia, commercial customers and industry.
• Interact with a range of collaborators in the UK and Europe on the research topic of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses at the animal-human interface.
• Provide regular scientific progress updates to the Virology Senior Scientist.
• Create a team-working environment, in which everyone can and does contribute effectively and in which different perspectives are heard and channelled towards achieving the Agency’s objectives.
• Provide direct line management or functional management of scientific staff where appropriate.
• The post holder will have opportunities for expanding expertise and Continuing Professional Development, both within and out with APHA.
• To support and maintain the establishment and maintenance of high health, safety and well-being standards and act as a role model.
• Ensure all work of the team is delivered in accordance with Health & Safety requirements.
• Contribute to the review, development and implementation of Health & Safety practices and procedures, including documentation, as required.
• Ensure all work is delivered in accord to the appropriate standards of Quality Assurance (ISO9001 and ISO17025).
• Support project work and procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to support NRL activities and research.

Person specification

Experience and skills:

You will need to demonstrate the following:

• Post-graduate laboratory experience, data collation and analyses, working in partnerships.
• Disease pathogenesis technical skills set including contribution to published outputs.
• Scientific experiment delivery, engagement with full range of staff, communication skills for internal interactions including sensitive information, evidence of working with collaborators.
• Ability to plan, prioritise, be flexible and deliver with competing workload demands.
• Biological Science degree or equivalent experience.

Staff will be required to work rostered on-call duties, weekends, Bank Holidays and occasional evenings. Out of hours work may be required in the event of a disease incident. 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 be expected to have any necessary vaccinations and comply with health surveillance protocols. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. It will also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment. The post holder will need to 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 biosecure areas (laboratory and animal facilities), individuals must be physically able.

Periodic travel within the UK or overseas may be required.

A valid full driving licence is necessary or access to an alternative means of transport.