Laboratory Assistant (ID3801, ID3832, ID3858)

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 the 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.

As a Laboratory Assistant in the Virology department, you will provide scientific support for the delivery of the research projects and maintain competencies for diagnostic tests including genomics to support outbreak response, commercial and statutory diagnosis of a broad range of viruses. Currently, we have three positions available: one in the Vector borne diseases team and two within the Avian viral diseases team. Within the vector borne diseases team, the laboratory assistant will support the delivery of diagnostic assays for vector borne diseases. The roles in the avian diseases team will be involved in the development and delivery of conventional and molecular testing workstreams for avian viral diseases and will be involved in frontline diagnostics with one of the roles focusing on genomics and bioinformatics delivery for outbreak response. All three roles will involve working within biocontainment level 3 facilities and full training will be provided.

Job Description

• Conduct and support experimental research and diagnostic studies involving a variety of viral diseases.
• Assist with the maintenance and management of the conventional and molecular test portfolio for viral diseases, including the generation of genomic data.
• Assist with bioinformatics and data analysis of molecular data, including genomic data.
• Working in biocontainment laboratories and using microbiological safety cabinets.
• Conduct experimental and diagnostic work, some of which could involve the handling and sampling of laboratory animals.
• Establish new techniques, write and implement SOPs and maintain, troubleshoot or improve existing methods.
• Maintain Safety standards while working in Biocontainment level 2 and 3 facilities, including writing and implementing Risk Assessments, wearing appropriate PPE and reporting incidents and near misses.
• Assist the department in maintaining an efficient and effective quality management system meeting the requirements of ISO9001:2015 certification and ISO17025 accreditation.
• Prepare written reports for inclusion into manuscripts, publications and project reports.
• Producing reagents for diagnostic and research tests for use within APHA and for commercial purposes.
• Be part of the Core capability team to support other groups within the Virology department to perform serological/molecular diagnostic tests in the event of an outbreak or to provide support for WHO/WOAH/FAO reference laboratories. This may involve working at weekends or out of hours.

Person Specification

• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of laboratory techniques such as PCR (real-time / standard), immunoassays, virus isolation.
• Knowledge of genetic sequencing and genomic analyses (Sanger and Next-/Third Generation Sequencing).
• Understanding of different biocontainment levels.
• Knowledge of working to ISO 17025 and ISO9001 standards.
• Knowledge of virology.

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.

Qualifications

• A-Levels or equivalent.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Working Together, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions.

Alongside your salary of £28,680, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £8,308 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. In return for your dedication and hard work, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training as inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA. Our benefits include generous annual leave, a generous employer contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme, reward vouchers and in-year bonuses. We also offer additional days off if accrued extra hours (flexi-time – if accumulated), three paid volunteering days per year. We also have a social committee who run team building and fun events at the Weybridge site.

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.

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. As part of the assessment process, your application will consist of a CV-style application template, and a 500-word personal statement against the details in the Person Specification in the advert and the job description. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Application Process

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. If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the Behaviours and your skills and experience. A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed. Please use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide evidence of each behaviour. Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Location

This role is based at APHA Weybridge only due to the nature of the role and the duties required. 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.

Salary

New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

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.