Job summary

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, plant and bee health?�

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

As a Senior Immunologist, you will plan, manage and execute research and development into the pathogenesis and immunology of veterinary viruses. The role will coordinate the immunology work and support the research strategy of the Mammalian Virology workgroup and support the disease emergency responses in the Virology Department.

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

Manage research projects and design 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.Be a member of the Workgroup�s senior scientist team, through deputising and delegated tasks, contribute to strategic planning.Communication of science through participation in internal and external meetings, but also to ensure a high quality programme of scientific approaches published in peer reviewed literature with high impact.Develop and seek opportunities for the initiation of (collaborative) research proposals, both nationally and internationally specifically through accessing opportunities outwith UKgov funding.Draft applications for funding bodies and to obtain permissions for work (Home office and HSE).Maintain and enhance the workgroups immunology knowledge base to support research within the group and across the department .Monitor the horizon for technological developments that may be used to develop the research programme of host-pathogen interaction in the work group.Oversee flow cytometry and spatial immunology across the work group. This includes training and assisting in the experimental design and execution.Provide consultancy to stakeholders such as the Defra, but also the industry.Supervise and provide training for members of staff, students, and visitors in the workgroup.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 the immunology laboratory, implementing and maintaining good laboratory practice and standards therein.Participate in the disease emergency response in the event of a disease outbreak and on call rota if required.

Person specification

You will need to demonstrate the following:

Immunology knowledge in theory and practice through pathogenesis / vaccine studies and molecular characterisation multi parameter flow cytometry and state of the art immunological analyses, such as single cell omics, cell sorting, spatial imaging.Good written and oral communication skills (to deliver outputs such as manuscripts, presentations or applications and reports).Ability to network and provide immunological expertise across a department.Understanding of requirements for working in containment level 3 and bio-safety expertise.Experience with Good Laboratory Practice and/or quality management systems such as ISO9001.

Qualifications
PhD and post-doc experience, or equivalent experience.

Behaviours

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

Seeing the Big PictureChanging and ImprovingMaking Effective DecisionsCommunicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

Immunology knowledge in theory and practice through pathogenesis / vaccine studies and molecular characterisation multi parameter flow cytometry and state of the art immunological analyses.Ability to network and provide immunological expertise across a departmentKnowledge of and practical experience with Veterinary Microbiology/Virology

Benefits

Alongside your salary of �42,577, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes �11,495 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

In return for your dedication and hard work, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training as inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA. �Our benefits include generous annual leave, a generous (27%), staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme, reward vouchers and in-year bonuses. We also offer additional days off if accrued extra hours (flexi-time �if accumulated), three paid volunteering day per year. We also have a social committee who run team building and fun events at the Weybridge site. Further details can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.�

Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role.�

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