About the job

Job summary

Innovation and delivery of scientific and technical approaches for research into investigations of animal disease pathogenesis, host responses and diagnosis for policy-driven government and externally funded projects, within the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE) workgroup in the Pathology and Animal Sciences Department.

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.

Job description

To provide scientific, technical and operational expertise to the veterinary pathologists and project leaders and actively manage the delivery of diagnostic and research within the TSE Science portfolio. This will include performing routine and advanced pathology, molecular, bioassay and gross necropsy techniques, applied in a high disease biocontainment environment to rigorous quality standards.

TSE science project delivery

Manage, coordinate, plan and undertake the delivery of histopathology, bioassay and RTQuIC requirements in support of the TSE science portfolio in a timely manner to deadlines and within budget. Working to Quality standards ISO9001:2015, ISO17025 as required. This will require:   

• Application and refinement of specialist techniques, including  immunohistochemistry, bioassays and RTQuIC, to provide data for ongoing research and surveillance projects and for the National and International Reference Laboratories for TSE. 
• Microscopic evaluation, interpretation and reporting of immunoassay and histological outputs to project leaders or pathologists.
• Working in specialist high disease containment laboratories and animal post-mortem facilities (ACDP3/SAPO3 and SAPO4).
• Support  the delivery of Agency strategic needs for the TSE Science portfolio, with a particular focus on implementing RTQuIC detection assays.

Leadership and management of specialist scientific staff and facilities

Provide management and direction to staff within allocated area including the functional management of visitors, scientific staff, facility management service provider staff and other staff working in the ACDP3

• (with derogations) TSE laboratories, including implementing and delivering scientific and technical training.

Communication

• Communication with team members, team lead and Veterinary pathologists through scheduled and ad hoc team meetings, one to one staff development reviews and through the provision of written progress reports. Represent Pathology and deputise for line manager at internal Pathology group meetings.
• Scientific and technical communication through presentation of data, verbal and written reports for publication in peer reviewed journals, to customers and stakeholders and representation of TSE studies at meetings (for self and teams).

Safety & Quality

• Supervision and monitoring of required compliance of containment facilities and staff with legislative safety and quality standards including ISO9001, ISO17025, ACDP3 and SAPO3 as appropriate.
• Provision of Biosafety and facility advice/analysis to team leader, senior quality and safety managers.
• Ensure that adequate training and planning for response to emergency scenarios is in place; actively lead and participate in safety inspections and audits.
• Writing and review of risk assessments and standard operating procedures.

Learning and Development

• Develop and maintain relevant scientific expertise

Contribute to organisational learning, supporting continuous improvement and succession planning.

Person specification

Key Experiences/Skills

• Specialist laboratory skills in  histology, immunohistochemistry, immunological and molecular assays, and Home Office procedures covered by AsPA.
• Leadership, team working, staff and resource management skills (i.e. managing laboratory workflow).
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills to represent and contextualise science, explain complex data and knowledge to a range of people. 
• Containment laboratory experience.
• BSc in a biological or biomedical/veterinary science.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,857, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £9,681 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

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

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV in the provided template and give a 500-word personal statement describing how you match the skills and experience detailed and three behaviour statement using Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR).https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/interview-advice/the-star-method). 

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. 

Sift

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour: Leadership and the additional Behaviours: Making Effective Decisions and Communicating and Influencing. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

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

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours, Technical Skills and Experience.

If successful for an interview you may be asked to give a presentation and details of this will be given at the time.  

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)

Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

The role is based at Weybridge where the team is located and due to the nature of the role and duties required. Flexibility in working hours is required if called upon to finish a particular urgent task or call upon in an event of an outbreak.

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-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
• Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

Internal Fraud Database Check

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Full Time Only 

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying. 

We may consider two part-time staff on a job-share basis if continuity can be arranged. Part-time hours will only be considered as part of a job share.

Flexibility in working hours is required if called upon to finish a particular urgent task or call upon in an event of an outbreak.

NSV

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting 

Higher Security Clearance 

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter

The 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 post holders 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 between 3 to 10 years continuous UK residency depending on the level of Security.

Childcare Vouchers 

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Other Information

Restrictions on outside/domestic contact with poultry may apply. Restrictions on outside/domestic contact with small animals, mainly rodents and rabbits, will apply.

The successful candidate should not keep pigs or poultry or live on premises where there are domestic livestock or poultry.

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

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 of the post can be physically demanding. 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 or as part of on-call rotas. 

Travel will be required to attend training courses. You must have a valid driving licence or be able to call upon suitable alternate means of transport.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.