Biodiversity Researcher Sd22/68

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 233523**Salary**:

- £38,751**Grade**:

- Senior Executive Officer- Senior Scientific Officer**Contract type**:

- Permanent**Business area**:

- Virology, Science Directorate**Type of role**:

- Science**Working pattern**:

- Flexible working, Full-time, Job share**Number of posts**:

- 1Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- New Haw, South East England, KT15 3NBAbout the job

**Summary**:
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 2,000 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 purpose of this post is to develop a small team within the Vector Borne Diseases research group with a remit to develop research that focusses on arthropod vector identification and biology, pathogen associations and emerging vector-borne threats. The postholder will manage delivery of MOD-funded projects such as a biothreat reduction project grant. Staff management will include a FTA HEO post and oversee development of a National Tick and Tickborne Surveillance Scheme for Livestock, management of the APHA tick archive and develop new lines of research on vector diversity, the impact of climate change and the interaction of vectors with UK livestock and the wider economy. Collaboration with external research partners and development of new funding sources will be a key component of this post.

**Job description**:

- Manage the Biodiversity Research Team and develop this through new sources of research funding (UKRI, EU Commission).
- Deputise for the Workgroup leader, including attendance at management meetings, preparation of reports and provision of consultancy on lyssaviruses and arthropod-borne viruses.
- Delivery of a Biothreat Reduction (MOD funded) project “Ecology of disease vectors and their control” with a focus on research networks in West Africa.
- Oversee all aspects of the National Tick and Tickborne Disease Surveillance Scheme for Livestock through project SE0566. Manage delivery of field studies through line-management of an FTA post and supervision of visitors and students (graduate & post-graduate).
- Develop collaborative studies within APHA, with other government agencies (UK HSA and TPI), with universities and with international organisations.
- Hold a personnel project license (PIL) and maintain expertise in regulated animal procedures. Provide training in animal procedures as needed.
- Support virus investigation for vector-borne diseases, particularly those associated with ticks, mosquitoes and other arthropod vectors.

**Responsibilities**:
**Experience**
- Good writing and presentation style.
- Capable of conveying complex ideas in lay terms.
- Knowledge of identifying species and classification (especially entomology).

**Location**

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.

The work of the post can be physically demanding

Depending on the areas of work involved you will be expected to have any necessary vaccinations or health surveillance. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. It may also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment.

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.

Please refer to the Job Specification for further details. We may consider two part-time staff on a job-share basis if continuity can be arranged

**Qualifications**:

- Biological Science degree and PhD in ecology, microbiology or entomology or equivalent experience required.**Behaviours**:
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
- Working Together

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

- Evidence of publishing in peer-reviewed journals
- Experience of using statistics to analyse complex data

**Benefits**:
In return for your dedication, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. 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 of 25 days (rising one day per year up to 30 days after 5 years), flexible working, a contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit option