About the job

Job summary

Would you like to play a key role in the provision of seed analysis for the Scottish Government, seed trade and farmers?

If so, we are looking for an individual with excellent attention to detail and strong analytical skills to join our Team.

SASA is a Division of the Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate with a community of 170 scientists, inspectors, policy professionals and support staff with responsibility for providing a range of services in support of arable agriculture, horticulture, food, the environment and the wider rural economy.

The Official Seed Testing Station (OSTS), SASA, is responsible for testing of all certified seed in Scotland through supervision of Licensed Seed Testing Stations and provision of a testing service to Government and the seed trade. Testing is also conducted for advisory purposes allowing industry and growers to make informed decisions on their seed stocks.

Supporting this testing is a research and development programme investigating emerging industry concerns in the form of field and laboratory experiments, development of test methods and health surveys of cereal seed in Scotland. The OSTS also provide advice and analytical testing for the detection and identification of GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) in seed and plant material for Scottish Government.

You will be a key member of the OSTS team with the ability to work flexibly and build good working relationships at all levels. You will play a key role in the provision of seed analysis for the Scottish Government, seed trade and farmers.

You will receive training in different crop divisions and statutory tetrazolium testing to pass UK Certificate of Proficiency in Seed Testing examinations as required by Scottish Seeds Regulations. You will engage in training in loose smut (Ustilago nuda) and vigour testing to work towards gaining competencies. You will also learn to identify new seeds and maintain skills in the identification of species already learned.

The OSTS operates within a Quality Assurance (QA) system and is accredited to UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) and ISTA (International Seed Testing Association).

Job description

• Carry out analytical testing of purity, moisture, germination, thousand seed weight, vigour for cereals, grasses and pulses included in the Scottish Seeds Regulations.
• Carry out seed pathology tests.
• Complete evaluation of test material ensuring that International Rules for Seed Testing are applied, and work meets the quality requirement of ISO 17025, ISTA Accreditation and current Scottish and UK legislation.
• Work and train within the QA environment to ensure the validity of results produced.
• Ensure all records, data and information relating to a seed sample are presented accurately and timely on the SEEDS database (Seed Testing and Certification information management system).
• Seed sample registration and reporting of results including communication with both internal and external customers.
• Field and laboratory work to support seed testing research and development programme.
• Work in other areas of SASA, including fieldwork, as required.
• General laboratory duties including responsibility for a range of quality control duties.

Person specification

1. Experience of working in a biology-based laboratory, preferably plant sciences.
2. A proven team player who is able to work well with others but also carry out individual tasks as required.
3. Good attention to detail, ensuring accuracy when carrying out tasks.
4. Good organisational skills and ability to use own initiative to prioritise workload.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,513, Scottish Government contributes £7,428 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

Sift dates TBC, Interviews are planned to take place in April 2024 and will be conducted in person.

Please apply using the link provided.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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.