Senior Scientist – Veterinary Vaccines Research (CR3216) at Animal and Plant Health Agency in New Haw, South East England

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.

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.

We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all individuals. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, and we hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

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.

The Virology department is a multi-disciplinary team with a statutory remit in named reportable, endemic, notifiable and exotic diseases for the delivery of research, diagnostic services and surveillance programmes. We currently have a Senior Postdoctoral Scientist position available in the Influenza and Avian Virology Workgroup. As a Senior Postdoctoral Scientist on avian influenza virus (AIV), you will be working on a high impact research project between APHA and the University of Cambridge investigating next-generation veterinary vaccines against influenza viruses (avian and mammalian), coronaviruses ((Infectious bronchitis Virus (IBV) and Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV)) and emerging zoonotic Disease X threats (including henipaviruses) and will lead and develop novel approaches to the control of veterinary viral diseases.

Job description

Main areas of work will include:

• Lead, coordinate and deliver experimental and translational research activities within a UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)-funded Next Generation Veterinary Vaccines programme undertaken in partnership between APHA, the University of Cambridge and external collaborators.
• Deliver research investigating next-generation veterinary vaccines against influenza viruses (avian and mammalian), coronaviruses (IBV and PEDV) and emerging zoonotic Disease X threats (including henipaviruses), with particular focus on antigen design, immunogenicity, efficacy, antigenicity, cross-protection and vaccine evaluation.
• Perform, collate, analyse and interpret complex scientific data, prepare research reports, presentations, publications and evidence-based conclusions to support Defra, UKRI and other externally funded research programmes.
• Work collaboratively across external stakeholders and within the Influenza and Avian Virology Workgroup at APHA, including with both the Avian and Mammalian Influenza Research Teams and the National and International Reference Laboratory teams, to ensure the effective delivery of research activities and project outcomes.
• Support innovation towards the development of novel diagnostic approaches through applied research.
• Deliver in vivo experimentation which will include obtaining a home office licence and ensuring studies are carried out according to the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (ASPA).
• Maintain accurate and traceable laboratory records by adherence to appropriate quality standards (ISO9001)
• Maintain expertise and knowledge of veterinary viruses, including influenza virus research, publish work in peer-reviewed journals, represent APHA by presenting at national and international meetings.
• Maintain collaborations and research activities with scientists from other APHA internal departments and external partners.
• Work in high containment laboratories - Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens ( ACDP-3) / Specified Animal Pathogens Order (SAPO-4) - in accordance with relevant health and safety procedures
• Manage junior staff as necessary

Person specification

Experience and skills:

You will need to demonstrate the following:

• Experience working and delivery within a research environment.
• Knowledge and experience of standard virological / transferable microbiological techniques, molecular based techniques such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), recombinant DNA techniques, cell culture techniques, and immunological techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Hemagglutinin inhibition, virus neutralisation
• Ability to develop and apply reverse genetics techniques to deliver antigens towards vaccine development.
• Evidence of successful research initiatives, reflected by a focus on publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Proven scientific written and oral communication skills, including clear, succinct, and accurate transcription of information.
• Excellent compilation/analysis of data sets, Microsoft Excel, basic statistics, production of figures using PRISM software.

Specific requirements of ability:

• You will require manual dexterity in order to use pipettes on a daily basis
• Ability to work at a laboratory bench or in a microbiological safety cabinet for up to 6 hours a day.

Qualifications

A Biological Science degree (in veterinary/medical biosciences or similar) and a postdoctoral degree or equivalent experience.

Security clearance

The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Government’s response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason all postholders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have at least three years continuous UK residency as this is a requirement to work at the Weybridge site where the team and work is situated.

Workplace arrangements

The post holder must work from the location listed in the Location section of the advert.

This post requires you to be working in the Laboratory five days per week or less if part-time on a job share.

Ways of Working

Periodic travel within the UK and Europe may be required to attend training courses, conferences and scientific meetings.

A valid full driving licence is necessary or access to an alternative means of transport.

Out of hours work may be required. When overtime or out-of-hours work is required, 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 successful candidate will need to comply with a number of health protocols and wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required. The work involved in this post can be physically demanding as it involves long periods of time on your feet working in the laboratory as well as moving around site from one laboratory to another. It also involves repetitive actions e.g. pipetting and lifting of waste containers that maybe heavy. A level of physical fitness is required to access biosecure areas due to the need to access the buildings and requirement to wear personal protective equipment which in some laboratories requires a full change of clothes.

Health Clearance

The post will also require Health clearance. You will be expected to complete a questionnaire on your general health and have any necessary vaccinations or health surveillance, including brucella, hepatitis B, influenza A, rabies, skin sensitisers, and tetanus. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. It may also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment.

Qualifications

A Biological Science degree (in veterinary/medical biosciences or similar) and a postdoctoral degree or equivalent experience as detailed in the Personal Specification.

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Experience of both genetic manipulation of constructs and an understanding of molecular and serological techniques such as in vitro minigenome assays, reverse genetics and virus neutralisation assays.
• Knowledge of relevant areas of avian virology and / or vaccinology.
• Understanding of in vivo models for avian Influenza.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £47,557, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes

£13,777 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Further benefits offered also include:

• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities tailored to your role.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
• Staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme.
• Three days special leave with pay, per year, for volunteering (pro-rata for part time employees).
• Making it work for you - With so many flexible options, most people can find a work schedule to suit their circumstances.
• We also have a social committee who run team building and fun events at the Weybridge site

These are just a few of our benefits we offer. To find out the full range of what we offer refer to the Information Pack attached for more detail.

Learning and Development

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. This can include a variety of courses, Apprenticeships, paid Masters and PhD and on-the-job training specific to your role.

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.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Process

You will be required to complete the following as part