Defra Group Research Scientist – Immunology (CR3350)

Animal and Plant Health Agency; Addlestone; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in the United Kingdom seeks a Research Scientist to join the Mammalian Virology workgroup. You will design and execute investigations into host-pathogen mechanisms, contributing to disease understanding and informing national and international stakeholders.

You will publish research in peer-reviewed journals, present at conferences, and supervise staff and students. A BSc with a postgraduate qualification and strong Immunology/Virology background are

Qualifications

• BSc-qualified scientist with post‑graduate-qualification or equivalent experience in research.
• Strong background in Immunology/Virology, with insight into host‑pathogen interaction studies.
• Solid all-around communication skills and ability to deliver manuscripts, presentations and reports.
• Bio-safety expertise/experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute approaches for scientific investigations, meeting key objectives, budget, customer and ISO9001 standards.
• Communicate science through national and international conferences and publish in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
• Monitor horizon for technological developments to advance the mammalian virology work programme.
• Develop opportunities to collaborate on national and international research proposals and contribute to funding proposals.
• Supervise and train staff, students, and visitors in the workgroup.

Skills

Immunology

Virology

Research communication

Supervise staff

Education

BSc degree

Post-graduate qualification

Tools

Bio-safety protocols

Job description

Fixed term until 30/09/2027

At the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), we have a mission we’re very serious about safeguarding animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment, and the economy.

Join us as a Research Scientist in our Mammalian Virology workgroup and you’ll play a key role in combating disease caused by mammalian viruses through the analysis of host-pathogen mechanisms underlying disease or protection. This will involve research into the pathogenesis of these veterinary viral diseases that will inform our expertise and advice, both internally and to relevant national and international stakeholders. In short, you’ll help formulate and enhance our response to control important viral diseases across a range of settings.

Specifically, you will:

• Design and execute approaches for scientific investigations, ensuring they meet key objectives and milestones, as well as the requirements of budget, the customer, and Quality Assurance standard ISO9001.
• Communication of our science through participation in national and international conferences and ensuring publication of research in high impact peer reviewed journals.
• Monitor the horizon for technological developments that may be used to develop the research programme of mammalian virology workgroup.
• Develop opportunities to collaborate on national and international research proposals and contributing to funding proposals.
• Supervise and train staff, students, and visitors in the workgroup

We’re looking for a BSc-qualified scientist with post‑graduate-qualification or equivalent experience in research. You will also need a strong background in Immunology/Virology, with an insight into host‑pathogen interaction studies. As you will be delivering towards manuscripts, presentations, applications and reports, strong all‑round communication skills are sought, as is bio‑safety expertise/experience.

The nature of our work means you will participate in rostered on‑call duties, to provide cover for occasional diagnostic investigations on weekends and Bank Holidays. There may also be the opportunity to work overtime which means you may be eligible for additional payment. APHA Management reserves the right to change overtime patterns to meet requirements. This challenging opportunity means you will be contributing to vital, strategically important work. Due to its sensitivity, you will need a Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance.

Closing date: 16 November 2026.

£40,056 pro rata if applicable