Assistant Scientific Officer

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

- 279563**Salary**:

- £22,150- Pro-rata salary for job share**Job grade**:

- Administrative Officer- Assistant Scientific Officer**Contract type**:

- Permanent**Business area**:

- VETQAS Proficiency Testing, Science Directorate**Type of role**:

- Science**Working pattern**:

- Full-time, Job share, Part-time**Number of jobs available**:

- 1Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- Sutton Bonington, East Midlands (England), LE12 5RBAbout the job

**Job summary**:
Proficiency testing (PT) is an integral part of laboratory quality assurance. It forms the basis for continuous monitoring of diagnostic test validity and supports laboratories to achieve and maintain accreditation to ISO 17025.

VETQAS is a world leader in veterinary PT covering a wide range of diseases, species, and tests; it is held in high regard globally. This role is within the Science Directorate of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

The VETQAS PT programme supports the core work of APHA and Defra to safeguard animal health and welfare and public health, to protect the economy and enhance food security.

The job is laboratory based performing a range of laboratory duties including microbiological tests. The post holder must work both independently and within a team to help ensure the delivery of products and services of the highest standards to laboratories worldwide.

**Job description**:
The post holder will operate as a team member to perform a range of duties including, while not limited to, the following:
**Scientific and Administration duties**
- Freeze drying of biological material
- Quality Control testing of samples using microbiological techniques
- Preparing dilutions and dispensing biological materials
- Experienced ASOs may co-ordiante a small number of PT schemes under supervision
- Preparation, labelling, packaging and distribution of PT samples
- Preparation of paperwork for shipping PT samples e.g. customs proformas and import documents
- Stock management of biological material
- Writing and reviewing of SOPs
- Use and maintenance of apparatus and instrumentation
- Monitoring use of consumables - ordering of stock and equipment
- Assisting with project work.

**Personnel**
- Experienced ASO's may be expected to supervise and train less experienced staff.

**Safety**
- Works in accordance with health, safety and well-being legislation and agency procedures.

**Quality**
- Adhere to the defined SOPs and relevant ISO standards.

**Other Duties**
- Specified duties as agreed with Managers e.g. Fire Officer or First Aider.

**Person specification**:
Required skills and experience:

- Previous experience of working in a Laboratory, ideally using microbiological techniques
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Good standard in verbal and numerical reasoning
- High standard of interpersonal skills, being motivated, resilient and approachable
- Ability to work under pressure in a flexible and agile way.

The department is within a building that has three levels, and as there is no lift, the post holder needs to be able to use two flights of stairs and thus be reasonably physically fit.

Travel may be required to attend training courses.

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

- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing

**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 options, and an employee discount scheme.Things you need to know

**Selection process details**:

- This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.**Application Process**

**Sift**

Sift and interview dates as well as the interview location to be confirmed.

**Interview**

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.

**Location**

**Reserve List**
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

**Salary**
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

**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 a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-d