Assistant Scientific Officer (ID4112)

Government Recruitment Service; Wales; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK governmental agency is seeking a skilled technician to join their team for animal disease testing. Responsibilities include performing gamma interferon testing, conducting parasitological analyses, and maintaining accurate records. The role requires adherence to health and safety regulations and participation in quality assurance processes. Ideal candidates will have experience with laboratory standards and diagnostics in animal health. This position supports crucial initiatives for safeguarding animal health in the UK.

Qualifications

• Experience with diagnostic tests for animal diseases.
• Ability to handle biological samples safely.
• Knowledge of quality standards in laboratory environments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct gamma testing efficiently and maintain records.
• Perform various parasitological techniques.
• Participate in safety audits and inspections.
• Assist in post mortem sample collection and processing.
• Provide administrative support across departments.

Skills

Gamma Interferon testing

Parasitological techniques

Data entry

Health and safety compliance

Record keeping

Tools

LIMS system

ISO 17025 standards

Job description

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.

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 purpose of the job is to be a member of a team carrying out sample testing to establish the diagnosis of animal disease, monitoring animal health, screening for incursion of exotic disease, and performing statutory testing. A wide variety of tests are undertaken utilising parasitology, serology and microbiology. Training initially in Gamma Interferon.

To carry out any duties commensurate within the grade and purpose of the post including, but not limited to the following:

Gamma Interferon duties:

• Ensure all samples received for gamma testing are processed as efficiently as possible.
• Ensure reagents and consumables records are maintained.
• Register submissions on to the LIMS system.
• Stimulation of high volumes of whole blood samples.
• Carry out ELISA testing.
• Data entry of sample information.

Parasitology Duties:

• Carrying out parasitological techniques for the identification and enumeration of various ecto and endoparasites. These include:
• Speciation of coccidial Oocysts.
• Detection of eggs of Haemonchus spp using FITC labelled peanut agglutinin.
• Giardia Cysts.
• Fluke egg demonstration by faecal sedimentation.
• Identifying Faecal nematode eggs and coccidial oocysts.
• Isolation of Lungworm larva from faeces by the Baermann technique.
• Worm counting of the ruminant alimentary tract.
• Diagnosis of Dirofiliaria immitis, microfilariae, Canine and Feline heartworm, by filtration technique,
• Preparation of reagents, sterile/clean equipment.
• Staining for specific organisms, such as Cryptosporidia

Salmonella:

• Isolation and Serotyping of Salmonella from routine diagnostic material.

Health and Safety:

• Contributing to a positive safety culture by following Agency safety policies and procedures.
• Understanding and following controls in Risk Assessments.
• Ensuring equipment maintenance duties are carried out in all areas of the laboratory.
• Participate in contingency exercises and other safety training.
• Participate in safety audits/ inspections to support the local safety manager.

Quality:

• Accurate record keeping.
• Working to Standard Operating Procedures.
• Working to quality standards (ISO 17025).
• Participate in proficiency testing schemes.
• Participate in audits to support the local quality manager.

Post Mortem Room Duties:

• To assist Veterinary colleagues in taking samples for testing.
• Preparation and reading of smears.
• Storage and archiving and retention of samples.
• Dispatching of samples for processing to other locations.
• Disposal and manual handling of carcass waste

Administration Support

• To assist with general administrative duties within the centre and across the wider Department to include telephone duties, use of APHA bespoke IT systems, dealing with enquiries etc.

Outbreak Response

• Flexible to adapt to changing situations within the Regional Laboratory and prepared to support other parts of APHA in the event of an outbreak.