Assistant Scientific Officer(Id3332)

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

- 406581

**Salary**:

- £25,070
- A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

**Job grade**:

- Administrative Officer
- Assistant Scientific officer

**Contract type**:

- Permanent

**Business area**:

- APHA - Science - Surveillance and Laboratory Service Department(SLSD)

**Type of role**:

- Science

**Working pattern**:

- Full-time

**Number of jobs available**:

- 1

**Contents**:

- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know

**Location**:

- Penrith

**About the job**:
**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 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.
- APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, because it helps us be more innovative and make better decisions._

**Job description**:
The post holder will be required to:

- Work to Agency safety and quality standards.
- Test submissions using scientific techniques used in APHA.
- Provide support and undertake duties on behalf of local Quality and Safety managers.

Laboratory scientists are required to gain a high level of competency in all technical disciplines undertaken at the laboratory and are required to work in different areas of the laboratory involving different disciplines on a rotational basis to provide testing cover where it is needed.

**Bacteriology/CEM duties working with veterinary and administrative teams**
- To learn laboratory tests across a wide range of disciplines.
- Work in all laboratory departments as required.
- Carry out tests requested by our customers.
- Record results onto LIMS or to admin staff as soon as available
- Occasional weekend overtime (Rostered weekends)
- Ensuring the appropriate disposal of specimens and other clinical laboratory and animal waste.
- Setting up Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) cultures
- Reading culture plates
- Performing biochemical tests to determine ID

**Quality**
- Work to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and local procedures
- Check and report results, liaising with line manager
- Maintain laboratory daybooks and records
- Ensure equipment logs are up to date and that failures are reported to Responsible Officer
- Assist with maintenance of ISO17025 accreditation by working to SOP’s
- Contribute to the ethos of working to the highest quality standards
- Archive specimens according to agreed procedures

**Health and safety**
- Contributing to a positive safety culture by following Agency safety policies and procedures
- Understanding and following controls in Risk Assessments.
- Ensuring equipment maintenance duties are carried out in all areas of the laboratory.
- Participate in contingency exercises and other safety training
- Participate in safety audits/inspections to support the local safety manager

**Person specification**:
**You will need to demonstrate the following**:

- Laboratory skills or experience (e.g. Microbiology)
- Team working skills
- Communication skill

**Ways of Working**
- This post requires you to be working in the Laboratory five days per week on site with no option for homeworking._

Work activities may change depending on the needs of the business which may involve working in different departments, training for additional tests and tasks not detailed on this job description.

Staff (excluding under 18-year-olds) may be required to work rostered weekends, Bank Holidays and occasional evenings. 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 work of the post can be physically demanding

Travel may occasionally be required to attend training courses and undertake farm visits. You must have a valid driving licence or be able to call upon suitable alternate means of transport.

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

- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together

**Benefits**:

- Alongside your salary of £25,070, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £7,262 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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