About the job

Job summary

This is a postdoctoral research scientist position on avian influenza virus (AIV). You will be working on a high impact multi-institute research project and will lead and develop novel approaches to defining, diagnosing and understanding avian influenza viruses.

This will be a Fixed Term Appointment with no intention to become a permanent post. Contracts will run from October 2023 to March 2025.

Job description

Key areas of work will include:

• Key role to lead, organise and co-ordinate experimental studies within the Avian Virology Team working across the AI team and the International Reference Laboratory team within the avian virology workgroup.
• They will collate and interpret data and deliver research reports or conclusions on Defra/RCUK funded work.
• Research themes will include investigation of avian influenza virus (AIV) and tools to define, diagnose and understand these viruses.
• Innovation around the development of novel, diagnostic approaches through applied research.
• Delivery of in vivo experimentation is critical to the post.

Responsibilities will include:

• Maintenance of accurate and traceable laboratory records by adherence to appropriate quality standards (ISO9001), potentially including management oversight of direct staff.
• Maintain expertise and knowledge of 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. 

Person specification

Experience required:

• Knowledge and experience of standard virological / transferable microbiological techniques
• Knowledge and / or experience of molecular biology based techniques such as RT-PCR, recombinant DNA techniques and cell culture techniques
• Understanding of how reverse genetics approaches help understand viral phenotype changes, e.g. host adaptation and / or pathogenesis
• 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
• Willingness to work responsibly in ACDP-2 and ACDP-3/SAPO-4 laboratories at APHA-Weybridge
• Awareness of quality standards
• Willingness to obtain a Home Office Licence and to participate in time-bound research experiments

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.

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

Periodic travel within the UK and EU will be required and this could include farm or abattoir visits as part of ongoing research. The successful candidate may have to ensure that no contact is made with farmed animals for a period of 1-2 days or more before visiting livestock farms. This may preclude anyone who lives on a livestock farm. 

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.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,827, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £9,133 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 assessment process, your application will consist of a CV, a Personal Statement of your experience (maximum of 500 words) which demonstrates your suitability for the role based on the Key Skills and Experience specified in the Job Description.

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 personal statement. 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

At interview, you will be asked to give examples of Behaviours using Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) and will be assessed against the technical skills and experience requirements detailed in the Job description. If successful for an interview you may be asked to undertake a further assessment such as a presentation and details of this will be given at the time.

Location

Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. 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.

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. 

Should you be successful at interview you will be required to undertake this security check along with Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check. This includes: identity, employment status, nationality and immigration status, criminal records and any other essential pre-employment checks.

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.

Loan and Fixed Term Appointments

Existing Civil Servant and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be releases on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

This is a Fixed Term Appointment as a HSO Research Scientist in the Avian Influenza Research Team in the Virology department. This is not a permanent post. It is time limited due to the fixed funding period or as part of a specific project. The fixed term will end when the funding or the project expires. Your responsibilities in the post will be specifically focused on working on a high impact multi-institute research project and will lead and develop novel approaches to defining, diagnosing and understanding avian influenza viruses. This post will therefore begin from your agreed start date and end in March 2025. 

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.

All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to Weybridge may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer. 

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 post holders based at 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 CTC residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have at least 3 years continuous UK residency.

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. The post is full-time, we may consider two part-time staff on a job share basis if continuity can be arranged. Pro-rata salary for job share.

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

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.