Virology Diagnostician

Overview:
Are you looking for an interesting and varied role where you can utilise your analytical skills, and playing a part in contributing to the Scottish rural economy and the environment.

The Potato - Virology & Zoology Branch, part of the Agricultural and Rural Economy Directorate’s SASA division carries out diagnostic testing for a range of viruses to meet the Scottish Government’s commitments in relation to Plant Health legislation and Seed Potato classification. The Virology laboratory provides an efficient, cost effective and up to date service to customers through its skilled staff, modern equipment and facilities.

Working under the instruction of the Virology Laboratory Manager, the primary role of the Virology Diagnostician is to provide a diagnostic service for the detection of potato viruses in support of the Scottish Seed Potato Classification Scheme (SSPCS).

The main duties are to carry out diagnostics of a range of viruses to meet the Scottish Governments commitments in relation to plant health legislation and seed potato classification. In addition, the virology laboratory provides a commercial testing service to the wider potato industry.

You will also carry out duties in support of the Area Quality Manager to comply with ISO17025 and ISO9001 standards for a range of virus diagnostics, and Quality Management system. In addition, you will support trial work and testing of variety collections held at SASA required for the National List Scheme and RPID inspector training.

The Virology laboratory currently operates within a Quality Assurance system working to the ISO9001 standard and is accredited to ISO17025 standard for a range of virus diagnostic tests.

The key outcomes of this role contribute to the rural economy and the environment by testing material for the presence of regulated non quarantine organisms in agricultural and horticultural crops, preventing further disease spread, loss of earnings to businesses and the high health reputation of the Scottish seed potato industry.

**Responsibilities**:

- Responsible for virus diagnoses from SSPCS leaf and tuber material submitted by Scottish Government inspectors. We use immunological methods (ELISA) for the majority of diagnoses although Real-time RT-PCR method is increasingly used
- Provide support to the Virology Laboratory Manager in maintaining the laboratory’s Quality Management system and ensuring compliance to ISO standards
- You will also be required to carry out similar tests on plant material from other “customers” (institutes, agronomists, growers/breeders and other commercial bodies) in support of the commercial virus testing service provided by SASA
- Responsible for recording information on a bespoke computer database and the production of test reports

**Competencies**:
Team work

Customer Service

Information Management

Communications and Engagement

Self Awareness

Essential Criteria & Qualifications:
You must hold a degree in a biological science or equivalent relevant experience. Other qualifications equivalent to these may also be acceptable, if you are in any doubt please contact to discuss.

**Essential Criteria**:
1. Proven experience in using serological (ELISA) and/or real-time PCR techniques for plant pathogen diagnoses

2. Relevant experience of working within a Quality Management System ISO17025

3. Strong organisational skills and a methodical approach to work with the ability to balance competing priorities and work to strict deadlines whilst maintaining focus and accuracy.

4. A working knowledge of plant pathology.

**Location**:Roddinglaw Road, Edinburgh, EH12 9FJ

**Interview and Assessment**:Dates to be confirmed

**Minimum time in post**:
You will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of three years unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.

**HOW TO APPLY & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION**:
**How to apply**:
**Additional information**:
For further information, please download and review the “Person Specification” which you will find below.

**Person_Specification_Band_A_Updated_9.9.22_PDF**

**Science Specialist Competency Framework**

The post is a full-time role, but staff with different working patterns are invited to apply, and we will assess proposed working patterns against the business requirements for this post.

For information regarding this post please contact
**or**

**As part of any recruitment process, Scottish Government and associated public bodies collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants and applicants for public appointments.**

**Personal information you provide in the recruitment process will be made available to Scottish Government and our additional data processors.